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Update, Feb. 13: Gov. Baker signed the spending bill containing the provisions discussed here.
Broadening the scope of practice in assisted living to permanently provide “common sense” basic health services is the goal of a proposed bill in Massachusetts.
During the COVID-19 state of emergency in the Bay State, the administration of Gov. Charlie Baker (R) allowed nurses in assisted living communities to temporarily provide basic health services, including injections, the application or replacement of simple non-sterile dressings, oxygen management, and the application of ointments or drops. That emergency authorization expired Feb. 1 in the state.
Senate Bill 409 would allow communities to continue providing basic health services to residents, as long as staff members have access to a licensed practice nurse or registered nurse for consultation. The legislation was favorably voted out of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs in the Massachusetts Legislature and is awaiting Baker’s signature.
Massachusetts Assisted Living Association President and CEO Brian Doherty is urging Baker to “act swiftly” to pass the bill and make it law, telling McKnight’s Senior Living that residents benefitted from these services from spring 2020 until Feb. 1. Enacting the legislation would allow residents to resume access to these basic services, he said. Mass-ALA is the state affiliate of Argentum.
“Now more than ever we need a permanent solution to ensure that older adults have access to the same basic assisted living services that are available in most states, including New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York,” Doherty said.
Although Massachusetts assisted living communities have nurses on staff, current state law prohibits them from providing any medical care to residents. Residents have the option of administering such services themselves or through a family member, hiring an outside provider, or moving into a nursing home.
