Day Programs for Alzheimer’s Patients Remain Closed Due to Lack of Guidance from Murphy Administration

Senator Holly Schepisi said the Murphy administration continues to drag its feet on providing guidance that would allow adult medical day care programs to reopen.

Sen. Holly Schepisi said the Murphy administration continues to drag its feet on providing guidance that would allow adult medical day care programs to reopen. (Pixabay)

“My office hears almost daily from distressed families that have struggled for more than a year without any support or relief to care for spouses and grandparents with challenging conditions, including dementia and Alzheimer’s,” said Schepisi (R-39). “They can’t understand why Governor Murphy continues to ignore the needs of their loved ones who need access to day programs that provide medical care and opportunities for social interaction. These critically important programs should be allowed to reopen immediately.”

While adult day care programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have been allowed to reopen for more than a month pursuant to guidance issued by the Division of Developmental Disabilities on April 22, no such guidance has been issued yet for adult medical day care centers.

“Family members have suggested reopening these programs using the existing guidance already approved for other adult day care programs,” added Schepisi. “There’s no justification for the Murphy administration to keep these programs closed any longer, especially with rising rates of vaccination for both caregivers and patients, and most mask and social distancing restrictions being lifted statewide.”