Jehlen: Money for Nursing Home Bed-Hold Saved

The 10 Day Bed Hold program will be maintained through the end of the fiscal year thanks to funding provided in the supplemental budget, Senator Patricia Jehlen announced. The program allows MassHealth nursing home residents to return to their own bed after short leaves for medical or non-medical reasons. The program covers a maximum of 10 days for each medical leave and a maximum of 10 days per 12 months for non-medical leaves. It was scheduled to end on November 1.

“This program is vital for the well being of nursing home residents in Massachusetts,” said Sen. Jehlen. “Their room is their home. Forcing them to move rooms after a short hospital visit or holiday stay with family, or even move to a different nursing home in rare cases, is unfair to members of this vulnerable population.”

The health and well-being of MassHealth nursing home residents had been threatened when 10 Day Bed Holds was eliminated from the budget in the Spring. However, supports of the program quickly rallied. A letter, initiated by Sen. Jehlen, Senator Mark Montigny, and Representative Alice Wolf and signed by 64 legislators, was sent to EOHHS Secretary Judy Ann Bigby asking to delay the elimination of the program and advocates submitted nearly 1,500 signatures to Governor Patrick to fight for reinstatement. After this show of support, it was announced that no changes to the bed hold program would take place until November. This funding from the supplemental budget ensures that the bed hold policy will remain in place for the full fiscal year.

Many studies show that nursing home residents develop health and psychological problems from “relocation stress” or “transfer trauma”. Such problems include increased health risks (e.g. weight loss, frequent falling), lowered cognitive and physical functioning, and symptoms of emotional distress, with the most severe outcome leading to a higher mortality rate.

The cuts would have been particularly hard on those suffering from dementia and other cognitive impairments. These individuals greatly benefit from a consistent routine and staff. Moving them to different rooms could cause disorientation and distress and they may also have trouble processing why they had to move.

Another group disproportionately affected by such a change would have been younger individuals in nursing homes due to disabling accidents. Knowing that even a short stay away from the nursing home could mean losing their bed could lead to further feelings of isolation.

The program also helps pay for itself with reduced hospital costs. “The elimination of a guaranteed bed in a nursing home may result in residents being hospitalized for longer periods of time,” said Sen. Jehlen. “Without their bed being held for them, many hospitalized nursing home residents will try to remain in the hospital until a bed opens to avoid having to relocate to a whole new nursing home. This will cost the Commonwealth more than the small daily payment MassHealth makes to hold the bed.”

– Information from Sen. Jehlen (D-Somerville, Medford)