Trusted Resources
Visit this page regularly for current information, tools, and resources to help LeadingAge New Jersey & Delaware members plan for and respond to COVID-19. We are working to monitor the situation closely.
In collaboration with peer organizations and federal agencies, we will ensure that the health of the older adult population is a top priority during this time.
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- CDC Guidance Update on antigen testing in Long Term Care Facilities
- CDC Information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 & Information for Healthcare Professionals
- Preparing Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities for COVID-19 Webinar describes actions people in these two settings can take to protect staff and residents from infection.
- Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Worksite includes information about cleaning and disinfecting a building or facility if someone is sick
- CDC in Action: Preparing Communities for Potential Spread of COVID-19
- Preparing for COVID-19: Long-term Care Facilities, Nursing Homes
- Guidance on Mass Gatherings and Large Community Events
From the World Health Organization
From the IRS
From the New Jersey Department of Health
- New Jersey Launched a New COVID-19 Webpage: The COVID-19 Information Hub
- The NJ COVID-19 Dashboard is now housed under ‘JUMP TO LIVE UPDATES’
- The latest Updates and Guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health
- NJDOH – 24-Hour Public Hotline: 1-800-222-1222 or 1-800-962-1253 if using out-of-state phone line
- NJ 211 has been activated to help handle COVID-19 related calls from NJ residents
- NJDOH Memo regarding Hospital Discharges and Admissions to Post-Acute Care Settings
- NJDOH Guidance: Accepting Patients/Residents Discharged from Hospital during COVID-19
- LINCS: Revised Priority Actions for All Post-acute Care Settings in Response to COVID-19
- NJDOH Updated recommendations for Long Term Care Facilities (LTCF)
- NJDOH Guidance for the Discontinuation of Transmission-based Precautions and Home Isolation for Persons Diagnosed with COVID-19
- NJDOH Sample Discharge Instructions for Persons Diagnosed with COVID-19
- NJDOH Frequently Asked Questions for Close Contacts of COVID-19
- NJDOH Frequently Asked Questions for Healthcare Workers and COVID-19
From the NJDHS Department of Aging Services (DoAS)
- Policy guidance from DoAS for long term care providers regarding the suspension of face-to-face visits as well as temporary suspension of PASRR Level I and Level II requirements.
- Long Term Service and Supports / Office of Community Choice Contact list
From the Delaware Division of Public Health
- The latest Updates and Guidance from the Delaware Division of Public Health
- DE Division of Public Health Call Center: 1-866-408-1899
- Recommendations for Infection Control & Prevention of COVID-19 in Facilities Serving Older Adults
- Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of PPE – N95 Respirators
- Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of PPE – Facemasks
- Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of PPE – Isolation Gowns
- Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of PPE – Eye Protection
- COVID-19 Community Testing Plan
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Updated Guidance
- Commercial Laboratory Testing
From the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
- Press Release: Delaware’s plans for vaccinating group 1B: individuals 65 and over and front line workers
- The Delaware Division of Public Health Call Center has established a line for long term care facility questions. Please refer questions regarding long term care facility issues to the call center at (866) 408-1899 ext.2.
- Call line is open Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
- All facilities are required to complete a screening of all staff for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to work each day. Guidance on the screening process can be found here.
- Updated SHOC Status Form
- Test Request Form
The State Health Operations Center (SHOC) will be having a weekly call each Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 AM to update the nursing and assisted living facilities on the latest COVID-19 information. Conf. Call 1-866-506-5180 , Participant 65180
CMS Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of COVID-19
Update on CMS-CDC Reporting Start Date
CMS released the attached memo detailing the reporting requirements that will take effect on May 17 with a two week grace period to May 24 (Read LeadingAge’s analysis). Facilities must submit their first set of data by 11:59 pm on Sunday, May 17, 2020 to the NHSN Long-Term Care Facility COVID-19 Module. Take Action: Register now for NHSN and begin collecting data starting May 8, 2020. Please note: registration is taking more time than expected and we encourage you to start now to avoid further delays that may impact your compliance. The memo provides an overview of the registration process. Here is the link to the memo (also attached QSO 20-29). For questions or concerns regarding this memo, please contact DNH_TriageTeam@cms.hhs.gov. Previous QSO Memos are posted on the S&C website.
- COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers
- CMS Guidance regarding upcoming requirements for notification of confirmed COVID-19 among residents and staff in nursing homes
- CMS Updated Guidance for Nursing Homes (New) LeadingAge put out a statement and an article explaining the changes.
- CMS put out a package of significant regulatory changes to help the U.S. health care system address the COVID-19 patient surge
- CMS will be suspending routine audit activity for PACE organizations
- CMS is expanding its accelerated and advance payment for Medicare providers
- See the new CMS Nursing Home Telehealth Toolkit
- CMS announced further suspension and re-prioritization of survey activity. See also LeadingAge analysis on survey re-prioritization.
- CMS announced it will reduce the data collection and reporting burden on providers. Please see this short article from LeadingAge explaining the Quality Reporting guidance. Enclosed is the revised SNF reporting deadline chart.
- Emergency Declaration Health Care Providers Fact Sheet on Available Waivers
- CMS published new resources for state Medicaid agencies on home and community-based services (HCBS). See also LeadingAge’s summary, with a section highlighting implications for adult day services.
- Revised Guidance for Nursing Homes, including guidance for visitation and a Summary from LeadingAge
- Guidance for Home Health Agencies (HHAs)
- FAQs and Considerations for Patient Triage, Placement and Hospital Discharge
- CMS Suspension of Survey Activities
- CMS Guidance for PACE. See also the LeadingAge summary.
- Telehealth Guidance: See Fact Sheet and a Q&A document. Here is the LeadingAge initial analysis
- Notes from LeadingAge’s Weekly Calls with Evan Schulman (CCSQ/CMS).
- CMS Announces Relief for Clinicians, Providers, Hospitals and Facilities Participating in Quality Reporting Programs in Response to COVID-19
- CMS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for State Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Agencies
- Trump Administration Releases COVID-19 Checklists and Tools to Accelerate Relief for State Medicaid & CHIP Programs
We are at a critical time in which community containment measures may be increasingly difficult to implement and enforce. Now is the time to prepare your employees, operations and family.
