The extension of pandemic-era policies increased the scope of practice in assisted living, and some senior living industry advocates hope to make those policies permanent.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) signed legislation last week extending certain policies for assisted living communities, including allowing nurses to provide insulin injections, oxygen management and other healthcare services. Baker had granted the emergency authorization during the COVID-19 state of emergency and extended it in April.
The Massachusetts Assisted Living Association would like to see those policies made permanent. Mass–ALA President and CEO Brian Doherty said he supports S 2656, also called An Act Authorizing Common Sense Health Services in Assisted Living, because increasing assisted living’s scope of practice has proved successful during the pandemic.
The bill, if passed, would authorize nurses in assisted living to permanently provide some noninvasive health services, including blood sugar monitoring, wound care for skin tears or other minor injuries, and oxygen management.
“Over the last two years, we’ve seen how well common sense health services have worked for residents, providing continuity of care and easing burdens on families,” Doherty said. “Now it’s time to make them permanent.”
The Massachusetts Senior Care Association, however, previously opposed the bill, calling it “unnecessary, redundant and inconsistent” with the intent of state law to promote assisted living as a “social” housing model for elderly and disabled individuals.
Before the temporary pandemic emergency order, nurses working in assisted living communities in the state were prohibited from providing any medical care to residents, who typically had a family member or an outside provider administer the services. Some residents moved into a nursing home to access those treatments.
