Amendment #32 to H5150

Establishing an Essential Caregiver Program in Nursing Homes, Rest Homes, and Assisted Living Residences

Ms. Balser of Newton moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:

SECTION XX. The Department of Public Health shall issue guidance for the purpose of establishing an Essential Caregiver Program in nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, rest homes, and assisted living residences in the Commonwealth. The guidance shall encourage nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities to develop a process to designate Essential Caregivers, where appropriate. An Essential Caregiver could be a person, such as a family member or friend, who was previously actively engaged with a resident or is committed to providing companionship and/or assistance with activities of daily living. The goal of designating Essential Caregivers would be to ensure that high-risk residents continue to receive individualized, person-centered care from their family and/or friend, while at the same time minimizing the risk of infection.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #32 to H5150

Establishing an Essential Caregiver Program in Nursing Homes, Rest Homes, and Assisted Living Residences