Adult Day Services Reopening Guidance

Posted on July 1, 2020 by Jodi Boyne

The Minnesota Department of Human Services  (DHS) has published reopening guidance for Adult Day Centers. The guidance indicates that providers may resume in person services on July 1 upon meeting new requirements.  Providers may also continue offering services remotely via Alternative Adult Day Services.  

What’s New

DHS will require all Adult Day Services programs to adhere to Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on COVID-19. This is an ongoing requirement, as the guidance will evolve during the pandemic. DHS will communicate current guidance and any updated guidance to providers via email and on the DHS website. If a participant or a staff person tests positive for COVID-19, or has symptoms of COVID-19, the license holder must follow the MDH and CDC guidelines specific to the situation and program capabilities.

Providers must have a COVID preparedness plan in place and adhere to MDH and CDC guidelines on COVID-19.  The plan must provide for the program's implementation of Minnesota OSHA Standards and MDH and CDC Guidelines in their workplaces. These requirements are defined in guidance published by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) available on DEED’s website.  The plan must cover items relating to employees working from home, social distancing, cleaning, sanitizing and staff training.

Prior to resuming services, the Authorized Agent for the licensed program must complete, sign and submit to DHS Licensing Division the Notification About Resuming Facility Operation for Adult Day Centers. 

Participants and Staff

Occupancy is limited to no more than 50% of the licensed capacity or a maximum of 50 people at a time, including staff, whichever is smaller.

Providers may not serve clients who reside in congregate settings in person, but may continue to offer remote services to clients in accordance with the requirements outlined for Alternative Adult Day Services.

Services must be delivered in shifts, with a maximum duration of three hours throughout the day for each participant. The license holder must document the start and end time of each shift and the staff who worked those shifts, and must ensure the facility is cleaned and disinfected between shifts. 

Providers must create and maintain consistent cohorts of the same staff and persons receiving services. Cohorts must consist of 8 or fewer people, including staff. Cohorts must be maintained throughout the program day, including meal and snack times, and should also be maintained during the programming week whenever possible.   

A meal must be served to each participant during their attendance at the adult day center regardless of the length of time the participant is at the center.

Participant rights have been modified to include the right to make an informed choice about whether to receive services in the licensed facility/community or to “stay-at-home” and receive no adult day services.

Health and Safety

Providers must develop protocols for staff training on COVID-19, daily health screening, isolating symptomatic clients and staff, frequent hand washing, communicating potential exposure, use of PPE, staggered daily schedules that minimize contact between participants, separating cohorts, cleaning and disinfecting, physical space modifications to prevent transmission, arrival and departure protocols to mitigate transmission, and protocols concerning community outings.

Providers must limit non-essential volunteers and visitors to the center.  

Choosing to Remain Closed

Providers that choose not to reopen are not required to maintain compliance with licensing requirements relating to:

• Participant physical examination, attendance and participant reports and progress notes
• Quarterly review and revision of the individual plan of care and individual abuse prevention plan
• Review of health services by a registered nurse
• Quarterly consultation and review of the structured exercise program by a physical therapist
• Annual update of family and social history
• Rules relating to the facility and equipment used at the facility

LEARN MORE - WEDNESDAY (Jluly 1) at 3:30 pm

LeadingAge Minnesota will host Jill Slaikeu, Unit Head of the DHS HCBS Licensing Division, to review this guidance and answer questions during the weekly ADS Huddle at 3:30 on Wednesday, July 1. Register Here.