PA Assisted Living Consumer Alliance gains in wake of proposed regulatory changes to assisted living facilities
PHILADELPHIA, PA — (November 2008) — Nearly a dozen statewide and local organizations have joined the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Consumer Alliance (PALCA) since the July announcement of the Alliance’s formation. Dozens of individuals have likewise joined the Alliance’s efforts to ensure that proposed licensing rules safeguard the care of elderly and disabled residents.
The Alliance, which has now grown to nearly 30 groups, is urging the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to revamp key components of its proposed assisted living regulations. The regulations, which prompted more than 200 public comments, reaction from legislators and comment from the Independent Regulatory Commission. The final regulations are scheduled to be released in early 2009.
“Our burgeoning membership indicates just how critical the new regulations are to thousands of Pennsylvanians,” said Alissa Halperin, Senior Attorney and Deputy Director of Policy Advocacy at the Pennsylvania Health Law Project, the organization leading PALCA’s efforts. “We are forging ahead with one united voice. The rules must be strengthened to guarantee that assisted living residences fulfil their promises to our most vulnerable citizens.”
After reviewing the proposed assisted living regulations this summer, the Alliance identified numerous shortcomings that would deny residents basic consumer protections. For instance, the draft rules do not establish a minimum number of training hours for direct care staff and they do not require facilities to develop a care plan before a resident moves in and starts payment.
Some other ways in which the proposed regulations fall short include:
They propose far too few staff members on duty to meet residents needs
They allow resident living space that is far too small
They omit essential residents’ rights that should be afforded to all consumers.
They provide consumers with no right to challenge a facilities decision to kick them out.
They make no requirement for all hallways and common areas to be wheelchair accessible.
They take away a residents’ right to continue to use or otherwise choose their own healthcare providers, such as their doctor or psychiatrist.
About 50,000 people in Pennsylvania currently live in facilities that may call themselves assisted living facilities. Assisted living has emerged in the past generation to house people who are not so sick that they require a nursing home. However, residents generally need help with bathing, dressing, medication management and other basic care needs. Currently, Pennsylvania regulations lump assisted living facilities together with a wide range of homes for the elderly and disabled.
With funds from The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Pennsylvania Health Law Project has drawn together a broad coalition of Pennsylvania organizations since January. The grassroots movement also has attracted support from numerous individuals and families.
“Our goal has been to make sure that the people most affected by the new regulations can help shape them,” Halperin said. “We believe Pennsylvanians deserve quality assisted living facilities that deliver appropriate and adequate care.”
The eleven newest organizations to become alliance members include:
Aid for Friends – Serves the needy and isolated shut-ins, primarily the frail elderly, in the five-county Greater Philadelphia area, with free daily home-cooked meals delivered weekly by volunteer visitors. The organization also provides shut-ins with free outreach services. (www.aidforfriends.org)
The AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania – Protects the rights of those affected by the AIDS epidemic. It is still the nation's only independent public-interest law firm dedicated to AIDS and HIV. (www.aidslawpa.org)
Elder Connections – Helps families recognize and understand the quality-of-life issues surrounding the care of elderly family members; identify solutions that best reflect the wishes, resources, and capabilities of the family; and acquire the tools, contacts, and support to put those solutions into practice. (www.elder-connections.com)
Eldernet of Lower Merion and Narberth - ElderNet provides free services and information on housing/alternative living facilities, nursing care and emergency assistance to older or persons with disabilities with low or moderate incomes, who live in Lower Merion or Narberth, PA. (www.eldernetonline.org)
Jewish Social Policy Action Network – Conducts research and informs the public on issues ranging from equality and opportunity for women and men. The organization also protects the Constitutional liberties of Jews, other minorities, and the underserved. (www.jspan.org)
Mental Health America Allegheny County – Provides programs and services in the Pittsburgh area to support the health of mind and body. The group also works to eliminate the stigma of mental illness and addiction. (www.mhaac.net)
National Nursing Centers Consortium – Represents nurse-managed health centers serving vulnerable people across the country. The Consortium helps provide quality health care services to vulnerable populations and to eliminate health disparities in underserved communities. (www.nncc.us)
Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition – The Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition seeks to educate state government officials about the issues and concerns of Jewish Federations and assists local communities in public policy advocacy. (www.pajewishcoalition.org)
Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumer Association – Promotes and supports recovery from mental illness through advocacy and education to eliminate stigma and discrimination. (www.pmhca.org)
SeniorLaw Center - SeniorLaw Center protects the legal rights and interests of seniors in need, providing free legal services, community legal education, professional training, advice, information and referral services, and advocacy. (www.seniorlawcenter.org)
United Way of Southeast Pennsylvania - United Way of Southeastern Pa improves people’s lives by mobilizing the caring power of donors, volunteers and communities. (www.uwsepa.org)
For more information about the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Consumer Alliance and to view the work of all of the Alliance members, click on www.paassistedlivingconsumeralliance.org.