FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | August 1, 2024
Contact: Sarah Fulton (302) 401-1114
WILMINGTON — Health care advocates and lawmakers gathered in Governor Carney’s office Thursday morning for the signing of several bills addressing Delaware’s long-term care facilities and workforce. This package of legislation was championed by Senator Spiros Mantzavinos and Representative Kendra Johnson.
Sen. Mantzavinos and Rep. Johnson have worked to improve the quality of care provided at long-term care facilities across Delaware. Legislative efforts have focused on bolstering long-term care workforce, strengthening regulations and inspections for long-term care facilities and providing a better patient experience for aging Delawareans and their families.
“Today’s bill signing marks the end of a very productive two-year legislative session with regard to progress on our long-term care landscape here in Delaware,” said Sen. Mantzavinos, prime Senate sponsor of this legislative package. “As Delaware’s population grays, it’s incumbent on us to make sure that our health care infrastructure can sustain the ever-growing needs of our aging population.”
One of the most important methods to improving long-term care is ensuring that facilities are staffed at appropriate levels and that all staff members receive high-quality training. Senate Bill 150 (S) strengthens the staffing at long-term care facilities that offer dementia care and provide workers with more training in how to care for vulnerable seniors.
“Growing up in a multigenerational household taught me many things – including the importance of caring for our elders. But for families with older members struggling with conditions associated with their memory, such as dementia, it can be hard to provide the care that they need,” said Rep. Johnson, co-chair of the Caucus on Aging and prime sponsor of HB 300.
“By requiring DHSS to maintain a public registry of assisted living facilities that are accredited and/or certified to provide memory care services, HB 300 will help families more easily locate quality care for their loved ones. Thank you to my colleagues in the Long-Term Care Task Force, the Caucus on Aging, and all of the other advocates who helped see this important measure come to fruition. Families across the state will now be able to rest easy knowing that their loved ones are in good hands.”
House Bill 300 (S) develops a framework for assisted living facilities currently unregulated by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to seek and maintain accreditation from an independent organization selected by the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. The legislation also defines “dementia care service” in Delaware Code for the first time, and requires facilities that provide those services to meet independent certification standards.
Senate Bill 215 increases how often the Division of Health Care Quality is required to conduct in-person inspections of Delaware’s assisted living facilities and nursing homes, and Senate Bill 216 increases the civil penalties that can be imposed against long-term care facilities who are found out of compliance.
Some of the most pressing challenges surrounding long-term care revolve around memory care. Patients with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia require an extra level of care and training. Senate Bill 151 (S) seeks to address this by mandating that long-term care facilities accurately disclose if and how they offer related dementia care services.
“We are proud to have advocated for the passage of the Long Term Care package in Delaware,” said Sean Dwyer, Delaware Director of Government Affairs, Alzheimer’s Association, Delaware Valley Chapter. “We extend our thanks to our legislative champions, Sen. Mantzavinos and Rep. Johson, for their compassion and unwavering dedication to this grave issue, which has potential to positively impact the lives of so many. We further extend our gratitude to many volunteer advocates who courageously shared their personal experiences to ensure future residents will be safe and cared for with dignity. As rates of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia continue to rise in Delaware, so will the number of individuals who need memory care services. These bills not only provide critical reform and progress to ensure resident safety, but they will help save the lives of some of Delaware’s most vulnerable residents.”
The Alzheimer’s Association is one of the leading advocacy organizations on this issue. Another is the Delaware Elder Care Advocacy Coalition.
“The Delaware Elder Care Advocacy Coalition was honored to partner with Sen. Mantzavinos and Rep. Johnson on five bills to ensure Delaware long-term care residents receive quality care and thrive,” said Candace Esham, Delaware Elder Care Advocacy Coalition. “This legislation improves oversight, accountability, and training which will benefit the residents and workforce in these facilities. Unanimous support in the House and Senate for each bill shows the importance of this work to all of Delaware.”
The Caucus on Aging will continue to meet regularly in the 153rd General Assembly.
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