One
Voice
2018 Sneak Peak
(continued from page 15)
Role of the Nurse in the ACF: Many adult care facilities in the state currently
employ nurses, but their residents are not able to fully benefit given restrictions on the
duties the nurses can perform. Currently, these professionals are permitted to provide
nursing services only to residents of Enhanced Assisted Living Residences (EALRs).
Only 10 percent of the total licensed adult care facilities in the state are also licensed
as EALRs. Unfortunately, this means that capable nurses working in these settings
can’t provide services to residents; instead, a third party must be brought in to serve
the resident. This limitation prevents nurses from providing services that would result
in better health outcomes for the resident and support end of life care. A.2736-A
(Gottfried)/S.4398-A (Hannon) would allow adult care facilities to directly employ LPNs
or RNs to provide nursing services.
Service Coordinators in Senior Housing: LeadingAge New York is asking that
next year’s Executive Budget include a $10 million, five-year investment in the Resident
Service Coordinator Program. This $10 million would be used in conjunction with New
York’s historic commitment of $125 million to senior housing
and would create a very cost-effective model for seniors to age
in place, either in the new housing constructed for them or in
While the number of CCRCs has grown
the preexisting housing where they reside. The model would also
considerably across the nation, only 12
result in savings to the state’s Medicaid program by keeping low-
income seniors out of more costly levels of care, such as assisted
CCRCs are currently operating in New York.
living or nursing homes.
CCRC Revitalization: Continuing Care Retirement
Communities (CCRCs) provide a full range of services including independent
housing, Adult Care Facility (ACF)/assisted living, and nursing home care to
residents in a campus setting as their needs change. While the number of CCRCs
has grown considerably across the nation, only 12 CCRCs are currently operating in
New York. Comprehensive statutory and regulatory reforms are needed in order to
modernize the CCRC laws in New York and eliminate barriers to their development,
expansion, and efficient operation. A.6450 (Schimminger)/S.5172 (Hannon), the
CCRC Revitalization Act, will ensure that this important long term care model is
available to seniors in New York.
SSI increase for ACF: Currently, there are approximately 13,000 aging New Yorkers
who rely on Congregate Care Level 3 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to pay for
the services they receive in Adult Care Facilities (ACFs) and assisted living settings, at
a rate of just over $40 per day per person. This falls about $30 short of the average cost
of providing ACF services, and as the minimum wage mandate is phased in, this gap
will only grow. If ACFs close or cannot afford to continue to serve SSI/Medicaid-eligible
seniors, more of these individuals will be placed in nursing homes at a higher cost to the
state. Legislation that would increase the SSI rate by at least $20 per day per resident
over five years, A.6715-B (Brindisi)/S.6732 (Serino), passed both houses in the 2017
Session and we are awaiting its consideration by the governor. If the bill is not signed by
the governor we will be looking to get it included in the 2018-2019 state budget.
(See 2018 Sneak Peek on page 19)
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Adviser a publication of LeadingAge New York | Fall 2017