The Indiana Health Care Association/Indiana Center for Assisted Living (IHCA/INCAL) has compiled a Sustainable COVID-19 Planning for Long-Term Care Facilities report that addresses a wide-range of COVID-19 operational and policy topics. This document has been shared with the Indiana State Department of Health and other state officials, as well as our colleagues at LeadingAge Indiana, Hoosier Owners and Providers for the Elderly, and the Indiana Assisted Living Association.
The report discusses the future of resident care, family visitation, and facility operations sustained through a continued battle with COVID-19 in long-term care facilities. While the state has issued guidance allowing for outdoor visitation, this document starts a discussion around the expectations of families and the public when Indiana enters Stage 5 that is projected to begin July 4, 2020, and that is when the guidance for long-term care facilities would be reevaluated by the state. We believe the state will most immediately utilize this document to issue guidelines for indoor visitation starting in July.
The report also discusses continuing heightened infection control procedures, defining facility-onset COVID cases, the resumption of internal facility activities, and then discusses testing, workforce, and reimbursement. There are several recommendations throughout the document, including the state providing a permanent pathway for two positions that were created during the public health emergency to assist with staff shortages.
We will keep you updated as guidance is issued by the state in relation to the topics discussed here.