HBO’s ‘Alzheimer’s Project’ Series Reminds us of the Importance of Assisted Living Regulations in PA

PHILADELPHIA—(May 27, 2009)—During the month of May, HBO has done an unprecedented documentary series on Alzheimer’s disease, with films spread over its network, its On Demand system, its Website and even YouTube.  The project was produced in part by journalist Maria Shriver, who calls herself a “child of Alzheimer’s” because her father, the statesman Sargent Shriver, has the disease. And it reminds us constantly of the role assisted living facilities play in the lives of Alzheimer’s patients and those who love and care for them.

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare is currently at work developing regulations for all aspects of assisted living facilities, including site designs, staff qualifications and residents’ rights.  While not all residents of assisted living have Alzheimer’s disease or another related dementia, those who do often need vigilant and comprehensive care, something the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Consumer Alliance (PALCA) feels that regulators must take into account.  The final regulations must provide sufficient activities, protections, physical site design and care of those with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

The Alliance has identified numerous ways that the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare’s proposed rules for assisted living need to be improved before becoming final.  For instance, changes to sections regarding consumer rights, minimum standards for living space, and appeal procedures would improve the regulations and give residents more peace of mind up moving into an assisted-living facility.

About 50,000 people in Pennsylvania currently live in facilities that may call themselves assisted-living facilities, housing people who are not so sick as to require a nursing home. Residents generally need help with bathing, dressing, medication management and other basic-care needs. Current Pennsylvania regulations lump assisted-living facilities together with a wide range of homes for the elderly and disabled. It is vital that people who have loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease already in assisted-living facilities have a voice in these new regulations.

The PALCA Website (www.paassistedlivingconsumeralliance.org)  is the place to start.  For more information on the proposed regulations and where the regulatory process currently stands, click on “Regulations.”

Navigate your way around the PALCA website to find “Shared Stories” from Pennsylvanians with personal Assisted Living experiences they have shared.  You will also find a list of participating organizations that are part of the Alliance and where PALCA stands on each of the regulatory issues.

PALCA is most interested in seeing that Pennsylvanians make their concerns and desires around assisted living known to those with the power to make the final regulations. Among those who must be heard are workers and patients at assisted-living facilities – and especially those whose loved ones are in assisted living.

PALCA was formed in 2008 to make sure that new licensing rules for assisted-living facilities will protect the elderly and others who reside in assisted-living facilities. For more information about the Alliance and the proposed regulations, click on www.paassistedlivingconsumeralliance.org.