Assisted Living: Pre and Post COVID-19
I often reflect on what the future of Assisted Living would have looked like if COVID-19 didn't hit Arizona. While we will never know where that path would have taken us, we do know that as of today, we live in a vastly different world where the eye of public policy is shining right on Assisted Living and congregate care facilities.
I have personally gone toe to toe with many other policy makers and public administrators all across the political spectrum on what "Assisted Living" should look like when COVID-19 is over. While so many things are up in the air, one thing is certain; and that is CHANGE. The gears of our State and Federal Legislatures are much more reactive than they are proactive.
All congregate care facilities will need to adapt to the fear politics and policies that will come this year and the years to come.
I have personally gone toe to toe with many other policy makers and public administrators all across the political spectrum on what "Assisted Living" should look like when COVID-19 is over. While so many things are up in the air, one thing is certain; and that is CHANGE. The gears of our State and Federal Legislatures are much more reactive than they are proactive.
All congregate care facilities will need to adapt to the fear politics and policies that will come this year and the years to come.
Pre-COVID-19 Legislative Priorities
Before COVID-19 a committee was assembled to create a list of Legislative priorities to deal with Elder Congregate Care Facilities, these were the formal recommendations to the Legislative body. Notice the trend of "Elder Abuse" and "Neglect". AZDHS funding is also addressed as they were unable to address all the reports of abuse and neglect in a timely manner according to the Auditor General's report.
Recommendation #1: That legislation be drafted to create or identify and fund an agency to oversee
vulnerable adults in Arizona, including related agencies, boards and commissions.
Recommendation #2: The Legislature appropriate sufficient funds to the Arizona Department of Health
Services and Adult Protective Services to timely investigate complaints in order to eliminate the back logs
and create a metric for the tracking of complaints to ensure timely resolution.
Recommendation #3: Support the recommendations outlined in the Arizona Auditor General's Report
19-112 contained on pages 14-15 and encourage implementation of said recommendations.
Recommendation #4: The Legislature fund an independent audit of APS.
Recommendation #5: The Speaker continue the House Ad Hoc Committee on Abuse and Neglect of
Vulnerable Adults upon completion of the independent audit to review the findings and make
recommendations.
Recommendation #6: Support the recommendations of the Governor's Abuse and Neglect Prevention
Task Force related to Disclosure and Investigation Training, Signage and Trauma-Informed Approach.
Recommendation #7: Support the importance of training and education for facilities, caregivers, residents
and family members on the signs of, and how to report abuse and neglect, who to report to, and develop
posting requirements to be reviewed annually by the above-mentioned entities/individuals.
Recommendation #8: APS identify and make appropriate accommodations at intake, and throughout the
investigation process, for individuals with disabilities and debilitating health conditions that may impact
their ability to communicate and cooperate with the investigation.
Recommendation #9: Acknowledge that caregivers are vital skilled professionals and that stability and
consistency are essential for the wellbeing of our most vulnerable populations and that appropriate
compensation, training and support must be addressed.
Recommendation #10: Create a statutory definition for emotional abuse in Title 46.
Recommendation #11: Support the Arizona Department of Health Services and Department of Economic
Security in the development and implementation of a stakeholder-driven action plan to protect Arizona's
vulnerable adults.
vulnerable adults in Arizona, including related agencies, boards and commissions.
Recommendation #2: The Legislature appropriate sufficient funds to the Arizona Department of Health
Services and Adult Protective Services to timely investigate complaints in order to eliminate the back logs
and create a metric for the tracking of complaints to ensure timely resolution.
Recommendation #3: Support the recommendations outlined in the Arizona Auditor General's Report
19-112 contained on pages 14-15 and encourage implementation of said recommendations.
Recommendation #4: The Legislature fund an independent audit of APS.
Recommendation #5: The Speaker continue the House Ad Hoc Committee on Abuse and Neglect of
Vulnerable Adults upon completion of the independent audit to review the findings and make
recommendations.
Recommendation #6: Support the recommendations of the Governor's Abuse and Neglect Prevention
Task Force related to Disclosure and Investigation Training, Signage and Trauma-Informed Approach.
Recommendation #7: Support the importance of training and education for facilities, caregivers, residents
and family members on the signs of, and how to report abuse and neglect, who to report to, and develop
posting requirements to be reviewed annually by the above-mentioned entities/individuals.
Recommendation #8: APS identify and make appropriate accommodations at intake, and throughout the
investigation process, for individuals with disabilities and debilitating health conditions that may impact
their ability to communicate and cooperate with the investigation.
Recommendation #9: Acknowledge that caregivers are vital skilled professionals and that stability and
consistency are essential for the wellbeing of our most vulnerable populations and that appropriate
compensation, training and support must be addressed.
Recommendation #10: Create a statutory definition for emotional abuse in Title 46.
Recommendation #11: Support the Arizona Department of Health Services and Department of Economic
Security in the development and implementation of a stakeholder-driven action plan to protect Arizona's
vulnerable adults.
Post COVID-19 Legislative Priorities
We don't know too much about the current priorities as they will be discussed August 10th. However, we do know that COVID-19 spread and disproportionate COVID-19 deaths in congregate care to be the number one concern.
Remember, that just because COVID-19 is in the spotlight, does not mean that the other above mentioned priorities wont be addressed in legislation. "Abuse and Neglect" are still very much an active concern, and perhaps even exacerbated by COVID-19.
This is why ALFA is so valuable, as they have a finger on the pulse and a seat at the table to help guide our communities through this.
Remember, that just because COVID-19 is in the spotlight, does not mean that the other above mentioned priorities wont be addressed in legislation. "Abuse and Neglect" are still very much an active concern, and perhaps even exacerbated by COVID-19.
This is why ALFA is so valuable, as they have a finger on the pulse and a seat at the table to help guide our communities through this.
Helpful Links
Helpful Documents
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RTS (Request to Speak): How to offer your opinion on a Bill
Request to Speak (RTS) is a tool that the Arizona Legislature has to allow citizens to weigh in on bills as they move through the process of becoming law. All you need to do is create an account and you can give your feedback from the comfort of your computer!
When the committee is in session, the committee members, and the public, will see a list of names of people who have registered an opinion, if they wish to speak or not, who they are representing, and comments they may leave in the comment box. This information is also available if a person searches past committee agendas.
Having an RTS account does NOT mean you have to speak in committee hearings if you don't want to! You can if you wish, or you may simply register your support or opposition to legislation and leave comments.
When the committee is in session, the committee members, and the public, will see a list of names of people who have registered an opinion, if they wish to speak or not, who they are representing, and comments they may leave in the comment box. This information is also available if a person searches past committee agendas.
Having an RTS account does NOT mean you have to speak in committee hearings if you don't want to! You can if you wish, or you may simply register your support or opposition to legislation and leave comments.
- Fill out this form from Civic Engagement Beyond Voting.
- Once you have your account created, you'll be able to visit https://apps.azleg.gov/ to log in and view the status of bills and give your input on legislation.
Bills
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