Proposal Presented for the Master Plan for Aging (#123)
Disclaimer
Throughout the MPA process, more than 100 proposals were developed thanks in particular to thousands of hours of work by external stakeholders and members of the public. These proposals and the MPA Council commentary are being submitted to the Governor and shared with policymakers and the public to inform policymaking. These proposals represent a starting point for discussion. Further discussion is necessary between relevant state agencies and stakeholders to both refine these proposals and assess which may be appropriate to adopt and implement.
Summary
Expand the capabilities of Family Type Home for Adults (FTHA) under licensure and regulation to enable residents to age in place in the least restrictive level of care setting of their choice.
Justification
FTHAs are the lowest level of adult care facility to meet the needs of dependent adults. Adults enter FTHAs with the expectation of aging in place. Levels of Care definitions in regulation require that residents be discharged to another setting where their increased level of care needs can be met. This does not align with a person-centered approach to allow residents of FTHAs to choose their preferred place to live and aging in place.
Full Proposal
To ensure a person-centered approach for persons in FTHAs, expand the capabilities of FTHAs to support housing options for older adults and people with disabilities by preventing discharge to a higher level of care. Allow FTHAs:
- Operators of FTHAs to apply for specialized licenses needed to administer and store controlled substances.
- Operators with nursing licenses to perform nursing duties including medication administration.
- Facilities to hire staff to assist residents with mobility challenges.
MPA Council Commentary
This proposal is categorized as long-term. Statutory and regulatory reform processes may be required for the administration of additional types of medication and an assessment of workforce availability may be required. The Department of Health, in partnership with relevant state agency partners, may continue to assess the oversight of FTHAs, regulatory reforms needed and workforce challenges across the state on an ongoing basis.