- Advocacy in Long-Term Care
- Elder and Persons with Disabilities Abuse
- Missouri Long-Term Care Laws
The Missouri Essential Caregiver Program Act passed in May 2022 and goes into effect on August 28, 2022.
This law responded to criticism regarding long-term care facilities isolating residents from friends and family for nearly 12 months during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What the Law Does
The Missouri Essential Caregiver Program Act sets visitation minimums. It guarantees the right to at least one 24-hour support person during normal circumstances. When the Missouri governor declares a state of emergency due to infectious diseases such as COVID-19, residents have the right to up to two Essential Caregivers.
The right to an Essential Caregiver provides long-term care residents with, at minimum, 4 hours of in-person contact time with a person of their choice. These caregivers provide social support and connection, assistance with basic care needs (i.e., activities of daily living), and an advocate for quality care. A resident can designate friends, family, guardians, a pastor, another caregiver, or another person they think will be helpful. Those designated do not have to have prior caregiving experience.
Things to Know about the Missouri Essential Caregiver Program Act
Soon, Missouri’s Department of Health and Human Services will create a registration process for residents to designate their essential caregivers.
A facility can pause the program for seven days and request one extension. There can be no more than a 14-day consecutive pause and no more than 45 total days on pause in 12 months.
Essential Caregivers must follow the same infection protocol that facility staff is required to follow.