Delegate Peace supported by AARP and other Senior Citizen groups to give seniors a choice in long term care Richmond, VA - On February 5th, the General Assembly's House of Delegates recognized and affirmed the value of aging in place. Delegate Chris Peace supported by the AARP, Virginia Association of Home Care, Virginia Assisted Living Association and others passed the House of Delegates unanimously on Monday and has been referred to Senate. This bill gives seniors a residential choice in their own long term care.
"This bill put into policy the concept of consumer choice. AARP supports consumers being able to chose long-term care services in settings of their choice." Bill Kallio, AARP Virginia State Director.
Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R- Mechanicsville), chief patron of House Bill 3207, appreciates the support from associations such as AARP. His bill will ensure a resident of a long term care facility, and his family are active participants in the direction and management of the resident’s care. It also clarifies that a resident may not removed arbitrarily by the Department of Social Services from the senior residential facility contrary to an appropriate joint decision of the resident, his family, his physician, and the facility. The bill recognizes the importance of a residents and his family’s choice in developing the residents plan of care, while preserving the authority of assisted living facilities to determine it is no longer capable of providing for or managing the care of a resident. HB 3027 does not eliminate the prohibited conditions of admission or residence in an assisted living facility set forth in the Code of Virginia.
"With a 93 year old grandmother who lives with in-home care, I recognize the mental and physical health benefits of helping seniors remain in place, in a place of their choosing. The state should respect the wishes of residential facilities, doctors, families, and their loved ones," said Mr. Peace.
Delegate Christopher K. Peace was elected to serve in the Virginia House of Delegates on January 24, 2006 in a Special Election where he carried four of the seven jurisdictions and over 65% of the precincts. As the representative for the 97th District, Delegate Peace serves parts of Hanover, Caroline, King William, King and Queen, Henrico, Spotsylvania Counties and all of New Kent County. Peace now sits on the prominent House Courts of Justice, Health Welfare and Institutions, and Science and Technology Committees.
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