NADSA will continue to post updated information regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) as it becomes available. The health and well-being of our Members and their clients is extremely important to us. Additionally, we have established a Facebook Coronavirus Support Group Page: Facebook Support Group
- CDC COVID Vaccination and Adult Day Service Programs: On May 13th, the CDC’s Vaccine Task Force held a town-hall meeting for Adult Day Center operators to discuss their challenges, best practices and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the session was not recorded, the PowerPoint slides presented have been provided. To view/download the slides, please click on the following link: Adult Day Services Slides for May 13 2021 session
- MIT Study Challenges the 6-foot Rule: The widely used rule of staying 6 feet away from others does little to affect the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in indoor spaces, according to a new study out of MIT: 6-Foot Rule; MIT Study Article.
- Updated CDC Guidance on Physical Distancing After Vaccination: The CDC has released new guidance on physical distancing requirements for those who are fully vaccinated: Physical Distancing Guidance.
- COVID-19 Funeral Assistance from FEMA: If you lost a loved one to COVID-19, you may be eligible for a government program that pays for funeral expenses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will pay up to $9,000 for funeral expenses for loved ones who died of COVID-19. Survivors can apply for benefits by contacting FEMA, toll-free, at 844-684-6333. To find out if you qualify, read FEMA’s Funeral Assistance FAQs.Unfortunately, FEMA reports that scammers are contacting people and pretending to offer to register them for assistance. To avoid those scams, here are some tips:
- FEMA will not contact you until you call or apply for assistance.
- The government won’t ask you to pay anything to get this benefit.
- Don’t give your own or your deceased loved one’s personal or financial information to anyone who contacts you out of the blue.
If you think you got a scam call, hang up and report it to the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Possible Side Effects from COVID-19 Vaccinations: The CDC has created an information page on possible side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccinations and how to treat them: Side Effects
- When You Have Been Fully Vaccinated: The CDC has issued guidance for those who are fully vaccinated: Fully Vaccinated.
- Paycheck Protection Program Loans: The two-week window for Paycheck Protection Program loans through the SBA for businesses with 19 or fewer employees begins today (February 24) and lasts until March 9th. Employers who have already taken a first loan may apply for a second one. If interested, contact your usual bank lender. Here is the link to more details: SBA Prioritizes Smallest of Small Businesses in the Paycheck Protection Program.
- COVID-19 Waivers and Flexibilities: In certain circumstances, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) using section 1135 of the Social Security Act (SSA) can temporarily modify or waive certain Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, or HIPAA requirements, called 1135 waivers. There are different kinds of 1135 waivers, including Medicare blanket waivers. When there’s an emergency, sections 1135 or 1812(f) of the SSA allow us to issue blanket waivers to help beneficiaries access care. When a blanket waiver is issued, providers don’t have to apply for an individual 1135 waiver. When there’s an emergency, we can also offer health care providers other flexibilities to make sure Americans continue to have access to the health care they need. For additional information, click here.
- Free Webinar to Answer Questions about the Available COVID-19 Vaccines: On February 18, there will be a free webinar where participants can participate by Zoom and learn more about the currently available vaccines. For more information, please click on the following link: COVID-19 Vaccines.
- Facts about COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines: mRNA vaccines are a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases. To trigger an immune response, many vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies. Not mRNA vaccines. Instead, they teach our cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies. Click here for more information: mRNA vaccines.
- CDC’s V-Safe After Vaccination Health Checker: The CDC’s V-safe is a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Through v-safe, you can quickly tell CDC if you have any side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. For additional information, click here.
- Modern Medicaid Alliance Report: Modern Medicaid Alliance (MMA) has created a new report on the impact COVID-19 is having on a state-by-state level. To access the report and MMA press release, please click on the following links: New COVID-19 Impact page with downloadable pdf report: http://data.modernmedicaid.org/covid/Modern Medicaid Alliance press release: https://modernmedicaid.org/updated-medicaid-dashboard-shows-covid-19-impact/
- Additional COVID-19 Relief Funding: On December 21, 2020, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which continues the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and other small business support. Speak with your bank regarding options for your centers and businesses. Read more.
- How the Coronavirus Vaccine Works: Dr. Kentrell Liddell, former NADSA Board Member, has provided an excellent explanation about how the COVID-19 vaccine works: COVID-19 Vaccine
- COVID-19 Vaccine Dissemination: The first doses of COVID-19 vaccine are being distributed throughout the country. the CDC has provided the following information on the vaccine: COVID-19 vaccine.
- COVID-19 and flu season: How seniors can prepare: Even when there is no worldwide pandemic, securing adequate insurance protection and reviewing existing policies is a wise move to protect assets and provide for loved ones. It’s a good idea for everyone, especially the elderly, to review life affairs such as health insurance, life insurance, powers of attorney, personal financial records and household information. Read more.
- NADSA and LeadingAge reach out to Congressional Leadership again: NADSA and LeadingAge sent another letter the Congressional Leadership reiterating the need for funding for Adult Day Services providers in any future legislation addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to review the letter.
- Cybersecurity for Virtual Workforces: The following report outlines a wide range of recommendations for virtual workforces with so many employees working from remote locations: Securing Virtual Workforces Recommendations.
- NADSA Supports Modern Medicaid Alliance effort for additional COVID-19 relief: In a letter to Congressional leaders, 40 Modern Medicaid Alliance (MMA) partners called on Congress to strengthen America’s Medicaid program in pending COVID-19 relief legislation during the final weeks of the 116th Congress. According to the letter, “increased federal funding is urgently needed to continue delivering care and services that are critical to the growing number of Americans who rely on the Medicaid program.” To read the MMA press release, click here.
- White Paper: Risk Factors for COVID-19 Mortality Among Privately Insured Patients: This white paper examined relationships between the outcome of mortality (dependent variable) and the following independent variables: age, gender and preexisting comorbidities. The results of this analysis could help inform protocols for vaccine distribution as well as
prevention and treatment protocols. To review this white paper, click here. - Call to Action: We have a Call to Action for NADSA Members to join other national organizations to strongly encourage the U.S. Senate to pass additional legislation (HEROES 2.0) to support older adults during this COVID-19 pandemic. Please click on the following link for instructions/telephone script to contact your US Senator’s offices. NADSA Call in Script
- This article is an excellent example of how Adult Day Services serves both the participant community and the at-home caregiver community and COVID-19’s impact on them: COVID Threatens to Shutdown County’s only Adult Day Care.
- Paycheck Protection Program PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Form 3508S: The Small Business Administration has provided instructions for applying for forgiveness of your Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan using this SBA Form 3508S only if the total PPP loan amount you received from your Lender was $50,000 or less. To access these instructions, click here.
- Updated CDC Guidance: How to Select, Wear & Clean Your Mask
- CDC Science Updates: To help inform CDC’s COVID-19 Response, as well as to help CDC staff stay up to date on the latest COVID-19 research, the Response’s Office of the Chief Medical Officer has collaborated with the CDC Office of Library Science to create a series called COVID-19 Science Update. This series, the first of its kind for a CDC emergency response, provides brief summaries of new COVID-19-related studies on many topics, including epidemiology, clinical treatment and management, laboratory science, and modeling. These summaries are released every Tuesday and Friday.
- Call To End Senate Inaction That Puts Adult Day at Further Risk! Other than direct aid for Adult Day, the most important element for the next federal COVID relief legislation may well be increasing the share of Medicaid funds the Federal government applies to match state Medicaid funds. In short, enhancing the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage or FMAP. Contact your United States Senators and urge them to support and improve the enhanced FMAP proposal already passed by the House of Representatives in the HEROES Act! Tell them as states look for ways to reduce their deficits by cutting programs Adult Day Services may well not be available to any of their constituents without this support! Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, state budgets are experiencing significant shortfalls. Without increased federal assistance for Medicaid tens of millions of Americans—including people with disabilities, Americans 65+, children, and hardworking adults—could experience devastating consequences. Use this link and this infographic link supplied by our partner the Modern Medicaid Alliance to obtain more information.
- The National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabily Services is providing guidance on opening centers. For more information, please click here.
- CDC UPDATE: How to Select, Clean and Wear Your Mask: The CDC is providing updated guidance on all aspects of protective masks. Click here to view the update.
- Data to date show that a person who has had and recovered from COVID-19 may have low levels of virus in their bodies for up to 3 months after diagnosis. This means that if the person who has recovered from COVID-19 is retested within 3 months of initial infection, they may continue to have a positive test result, even though they are not spreading COVID-19. For additional CDC recommendations, click here.
- The Department of Health & Human Services expects to distribute $15 billion to eligible providers that participate in state Medicaid/CHIP programs, Medicaid managed care plans, or provide dental care, and certain Medicare providers, including those who missed Phase 1 General Distribution payment equal to 2% of their total patient care revenue or had a change in ownership in 2019 or 2020. Deadline is August 28. For more details, please click on the following link: https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-provider-relief-fund/general-information/index.html#phase2
- CDC: Updated Resources for Businesses and Workplaces
- Virginia COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard
- Capitalizing on Regulatory Flexibilities Born from the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- Community-Based Organizations During COVID-19
- COVID 19 State Resource Guide
- CDC: Toolkit for People with Disabilities
- CDC: Toolkit for Older Adults and People Who are High Risk
- CDC: When Can You Likely be around Others if You Think You’ve had COVID-19
- Update: Colorado Day Program Services In Response to COVID-19
- NADSA Working for Its Members/CMS Extends HCBS Settings Rule Deadline
- CDC Guidance on Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and COVID-19
- Caring for Older Adults with Complex Needs in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons from PACE Innovations
- CDC Diagnostic Test for COVID-19
- COVID-19 Spanish Communications Resources from the CDC
- CAADS Press Release — Reject CBAS Elimination
- Donna Hale Testimony to the CA Senate Budget Subcommittee 3 on Health & Human Services
- Statement of Protest to CA May 2020 Budget
- CAADS Video: CBAS Elimination: CA Governor’s May 2020 Budget Proposal
- Timberline Adult Day Services TV8 Interview
- Colorado Day Program Service Operations Under COVID-19 Safer at Home Order
- CDC Activities and Initiatives Supporting theCOVID-19 Response
- How to Order CDC’s COVID-19’s Diagnostic Test and Supplies
- CDC Guidance: Community Mitigation Strategy (see page 5 for ADS)
- May 19th Webinar: Coronavirus scams and how to help others while protecting yourself
- CDC Guidance: COVID-19 Critical Infrastructure Sector Response Planning
- Institute for Successful Longevity Launches Zoom Platform for Older Adults
- Financial Relief for Providers Guide During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Active Day Center’s COVID-19 Operations Featured in Local News
- Symptom-based Strategy to Discontinue Isolation for Persons with COVID-19
- IRS Reduces Benefit of PPP Loans
- Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools and Homes
- Supporting Family Caregivers of Older Adults Through Times of Stress and Isolation Resource Guide
- National Coronavirus Response a Road Map to Recovery
- CDC Adds More Symptoms to COVID-19 Watch List
- Updated 4.26.20: HealthJay Partnering to Offer FDA-Approved Masks
- Contact Your Lender Now Regarding SBA Loans!
- ADvancing States and NASDDDS COVID-19 Requests
- Congressional Support Letters 4.17.20
- VA Community Adult Day Health Care Amended Service Delivery Guidance
- Free Webinar 4-23-20: Ensuring Continuity of HCBS During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Free Webinar 4-17-20: COVID-19 and Living with Dementia
- Congressional Support Letters 4.13.20
- New Interim CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers
- Guide for Contacting Congress
- NADSA/LeadingAge Letter to Congress
- Support Letters to Congress
- More Support Letters to Congress
- CDC Guidance: Use Cloth Face Coverings
- CDC Guidance: Cloth Face Coverings Q&A
- Beware of COVID-19 Scams!
- CDC Guidance on Cleaning & Disinfecting Your Facility
- SBA loan program that helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 crisis.
- COVID-19 Participant Wellness Check & Risk Assessment
- MD Board of Education Food Waiver Memo 3.26.20
- ADvancing States Federal Guidance Update
- ADvancing States State Materials on COVID-19
- ADvancing States State Advocacy
- LeadingAge/Value1st Survey for Potential Solution for Mask & Gown Shortage
- HHS Announces Grants to Provide Meals for Older Adults
- USDA Issues National Waiver Forms
- Covid19 Letter to MD Governor Hogan
- CMS Grants Rhode Island 1135 Waiver Request
- Summary of Approved Modifications to Guide Advocates and Others
- COVID-19 Workplace Preparation: Updated interim guidance from the CDC about preparing workplaces for a COVID-19 outbreak.
- OSHA/HHC Workplace Guidance: Advisory guidance from OSHA/HHC based on traditional infection prevention and industrial hygiene practices
- HCBS Provider and Case Management Action Requirements – CO
- AMDC – COVID-19 Update Handout – MD
- Medical Day Notification – COVID-19 – NJ
- Memorandum on Adult Day and COVID: This memorandum from Damon Terzaghi at ADvancing States outlines several ways some state governments are providing financial assistance to ADS centers that have been forced to close due to COVID-19.
- NADSA National Task Force: The National Adult Day Services Association has established a national task force of industry leaders to assist our Members during this critical time. More information will be provided soon, including how to register for a virtual Town Hall Meeting and a special Facebook Group page.
- Medicaid State Plan Fee-for-Service Payments for Services Delivered Via Telehealt: This following is the latest guidance on Medicaid State Plan Fee-for-Service Payments for Services Delivered Via Telehealth.
- AHCA Coronavirus Site: This link provides a wide range of resources for long-term care providers about COVID-19 that could be applicable in ADS centers.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is posting Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to the Medicaid.gov website to aid state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) agencies in their response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
- Hooper, Lundy & Bookman: Provides a wealth of COVID-19 resource information that has been gathered by the healthcare lawyers and advisors firm Hooper, Lundy & Bookman
- Community Mitigation Strategy: A framework from the CDC for actions which local and state health departments can recommend in their community to both prepare for and mitigate community transmission of COVID-19 in the United States. Selection and implementation of these actions should be guided by the local characteristics of disease transmission, demographics, and public health and healthcare system capacity.
- The following information is provided by the Small Business Administration:
- The following information was shared with us from NADSA Board of Directors Member Yoni Gonzalez:
- CDC Resources:
- 2019 CDC Corona Factsheet: provides general guidance from the CDC on COVID-19.
- CDC Webpage: provide updates and information covering a variety of topics related to COVID-19.
- Situation Summary: the latest summary from the CDC.
- CDC Information for Healthcare Professionals
- Healthcare Supply of Personal Protective Equipment
- Interim U.S. Guidance for Risk Assessment
- Advancing States – COVID-19 Resources
- This guidance from CMS is directed to nursing homes. However, portions of it can apply to ADS centers and states may choose to do so. For example, see the section relating to readmission after discharge from a hospital. The document also contains links to relevant CDC documents that can be helpful to ADS centers.
- Congressman Gerry Connolly: Preventing and Preparing For Coronavirus
- CMS Announces Actions to Address Spread of Coronavirus
- COVID-19 Healthcare Planning Checklist
- Long-Term Care and Other Residential Facilities Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
- Strategies to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF) – CDC
- Coronavirus has reached long-term care. Prepare, don’t panic – McKnights’s LTC News
- Fact Sheet: Alcohol-Based Hand Rub in Long Term Care Facilities
- Separating Fact from Fiction
- HHS Announces Grants to Provide Meals for Older Adults
- PACE Covid-19 Resource Links
- World Corona Simulator
- SBA Disaster Assistance
- HHS Announces Grants to Provide Meals for Older Adults