Groups Urge Legislators to Expand Home Care, Support Family Caregivers

Cuomo Proposal Would Allow More NYers to Age at Home, Could Save Costs

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Feb 25, 2015, 11:10 ET

ALBANY, N.Y., Feb. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More New Yorkers would be able to stay in their own homes longer as they age, easing family caregivers' burden and likely saving taxpayers money under a proposal by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to allow more nursing tasks to be performed by home health aides.

Today, AARP joined with health and aging groups at the State Capitol to urge state lawmakers to adopt the Governor's proposal, which was included in his 2015-16 executive budget after being recommended by his Medicaid Redesign Team.

Already, 16 other states allow nurses to assign more tasks to paid aides than New York does. The Governor's proposal would change that – and as the population ages, the need for long-term care will only increase.

Advanced home health aides would receive additional training and have to pass competency tests under the Governor's proposal, which includes critical safeguards such as ensuring registered professional nurses retain the discretion to assign tasks to certified aides while continuing to supervise those aides closely, and allowing only routine, pre-measured or packaged medications to be administered.

"The vast majority of New Yorkers and Americans want to age in their own homes, surrounded by their own families, and Governor Cuomo's proposal would allow more of them to do just that – while providing welcome support for their family caregivers," said Beth Finkel, State Director of AARP in New York State. "Not only is the Governor's proposal compassionate, it's also cost-effective, since studies have shown better home health care reduces taxpayer-funded Medicaid costs. It's a win-win and we urge our legislators to include the plan in the final state budget."

"PHI believes this proposal will improve access and continuity of care as home care aides have a path to advancement and the ability to provide the care they know their clients need," said Carol Rodat, the NY Policy Director for PHI, a national organization dedicated to improving the quality of long-term care by improving the quality of direct care jobs.

Continuing Care Leadership Coalition President Scott Amrhein said, "CCLC strongly urges lawmakers to advance this important legislation. It will enhance safety for patients, improve quality of care, and create vital new opportunities for home health workers to advance in their careers."

When consumers in traditional home care programs require routine care that is not permitted to be assigned by a registered nurse to a paid aide, the result can be inadequate care or a significant burden on family or caregivers.

Loved ones often step in to perform caregiving tasks home health aides currently are prohibited from providing; the Governor's proposal would allow trained professionals employed by hospices, certified home health care agencies (CHHAs) and Licensed Home Care Services Agencies (LHCSAs) to provide compassionate care and reduce stress on family caregivers.

Washington State and New Jersey found that allowing nurses to assign tasks to trained and supervised aides brought improved consistency to the care and brought unlicensed and unregulated practice under the supervision of registered nurses.

The new tasks that could be allowed under the Governor's proposal if assigned by a registered nurse are: administering eye and ear drops, performing intermittent catheterization, nebulizer treatments and ventilator respiratory care, and inserting suppositories. Tasks already authorized include administering oral medications, medications through tubes, glucometer tests and oxygen therapy, among others.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

SOURCE AARP New York