Page 2 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, AugusT 2, 2024 Need a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? For more info, call (857) 249-7882 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 Open Tues. - Sat. at 4:00 PM Closed Sun. & Mon. Announcing our Classic Specials Dine In Only: * FREE Salad with purchase of Entree, Tuesdays & Wednesdays * Cheese Pizza - Only $10 Catch ALL The Live Sports Action On Our Large Screen TV’s Scan & Follow Us on Facebook! Sen. DiDomenico supports sweeping systemic reforms to long-term care and assisted living facilities Bill enhances oversight, requires outbreak planning and creates LgBTQ+ Bill of Rights O n July 25, 2024, the Massachusetts Senate approved sweeping reforms to the Commonwealth’s long-term care and assisted living sectors, taking a powerful step towards delivering the high quality and safe care that Massachusetts seniors deserve. Senator Sal DiDomenico supported An Act relative to long term care and assisted living, which substantially strengthens oversight and enforcement while also requiring facilities to create outbreak plans should a health issue arise. The bill also creates an LGBTQ+ Bill of Rights for aging residents to prohibit discrimination based on their LGBTQ+ identity or HIV status. After robust debate, the bill passed, 39-0. Diff erent versions of the bill having been passed by the House and Senate, on July 29, 2024, a conference committee was appointed to reconcile the two versions before sending a bill to the Governor’s desk. “Our state’s older residents www.810bargrille.com LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER FACEBOOK.COM/ADVOCATE.NEWS.MA The Future Starts With Savings. SECURE YOUR TOMORROW WITH OUR 18-MONTH CD. *Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate of the date posted and is subject to change without notice. APY assumes the interest remains on deposit until maturity. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. A minimum of $500 is required to open a Certificate of Deposit and earn the advertised APY. Member FDIC | Member DIF are invaluable members of our community, and it is of the highest importance that we ensure the best quality of life for people living in assisted living facilities,” said Senator DiDomenico. “I am proud to support this legislative package that will move our state forward in helping ensure our long-term care and assisted living facilities are safe and providing quality care throughout the Commonwealth. We are all going to need some form of care when we get older, and it is our obligation in government to guarantee everyone has the right to age with dignity. I want to thank Senate President Spilka, Chair Rodrigues, and Senator Jehlen for shepherding this critical legislation through the Senate.” The bill includes provisions related to basic health services administered in assisted living facilities and oversight of longterm care facilities, as outlined below. Assisted living basic health services: The bill makes it easier for residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities to get timely and effi - cient care by allowing Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) to off er basic health services, such as helping a resident administer drops, manage their oxygen or take a home diagnostic test. The legislation requires ALRs create service plans that demonstrate the residence has the necessary procedures in place, such as staff training and policies, to ensure safe and effective delivery of basic health services. The legislation enhances oversight and compliance of ALRs by lowering the threshold for ownership interest disclosure from 25 percent to five percent. Under the new law, applicants are required to demonstrate that any prior multifamily housing, ALR or health care facilities in which they had an interest met all the licensure or certifi cation criteria. If any of these facilities were subject to enforcement action, the applicant must provide Sal DiDomenico State Senator evidence that they corrected these defi ciencies without revocation of licensure or certifi cation. This bill also gives the Executive Offi ce of Elder Aff airs (EOEA) new powers to penalize noncompliance by allowing them to fine ALRs up to $500 per day. This is in addition to existing EOEA powers to modify, suspend or revoke a certifi cation, or deny a recertifi cation. Finally, it adds whistleblower protections for staff and residents who report anything happening at an ALR that they reasonably believe is a threat to the health or safety of staff or residents. Long-term care facilities: The bill requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to inspect each long-term care facility every nine to 15 months to assess quality of services and compliance. It also requires DPH to review the civil litigation history, in addition to the criminal history, of the longDIDOMENICO | SEE PAGE 10 18-Month CD 5.0% APY* There’s Every Bank, Then There’s
3 Publizr Home