ALTSD NEWS

The state Aging and Long-Term Services Department has issued new reopening guidance for Senior Centers and Adult Day Care facilities to aid in their plans to open their doors after 15 months of virtual and limited activities. Starting July 1, 2021 Senior Centers and Adult Day Care facilities across the state will be able to reopen their facility and once again offer a range of services and classes.

“We are absolutely elated to be able to once again see our seniors engaging in activities at their senior centers, seeing their friends in person, and being able to be there to provide in-person services. Over the past year we’ve been laser-focused on provide basic needs to keep our seniors healthy and to get them through this pandemic, with grab-n-go meals, virtual classes, vaccine clinics, and home-delivered supplies. But nothing can replace the feeling of being able to be back in-person,” said ALTSD Cabinet Secretary Katrina Hotrum-Lopez.

In order to continue to keep New Mexico’s aging population safe, the Department is requiring that facilities follow and routinely monitor the COVID-19 Safe Practices for businesses, incorporating these steps into their own processes.

SENIOR CENTERS (see chart)

The risk associated with reopening are minimized for those who are vaccinated, as such, the rules are stricter for individuals (staff or seniors) who have not been fully vaccinated. For facilities with an 85% or greater staff vaccination rate, they may completely reopen at 100% capacity. Facilities with a staff vaccination rate below 85%, they may reopen at 75% capacity. Unvaccinated staff must be routinely tested for COVID-19 and must not work if their test is positive. Fully vaccinated staff do not need to be routinely tested. Fully vaccinated seniors may participate in any and all on-site congregate activities, face masks are optional, and will have access to transportation services and in-home services (including home delivered meals, light housekeeping, and caregiver respite). Seniors who are unvaccinated will not be allowed to participate in group activities (whether inside or outside) or in congregate meals. Unvaccinated seniors will have access to grab-n-go meals, transportation services (must wear a face covering and be the only passenger) and do have access to in-home services. Seniors who are not ready or wanting to participate in on-site/ in-person activities can continue to receive grab-n-go meals from their centers.

Each facility must:

• Require all staff, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask or face covering
• Develop and employ appropriate screening protocol for both staff and seniors
• Ensure hand hygiene for both staff and seniors
• Enact cleaning and disinfection protocols

And they may

• Require seniors to wear a face covering or mask, regardless of their vaccination status

ADULT DAY CARE (see chart)

Like the guidelines for senior centers, in order to reopen while minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 within Adult Day Care facilities, the rules are stricter for individuals (staff or clients) who have not been fully vaccinated. For facilities with an 85% or greater staff vaccination rate, they may completely reopen at 100% capacity. Facilities with a staff vaccination rate below 85%, they may reopen at 75% capacity. All staff, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a face covering. Unvaccinated staff must be routinely tested for COVID-19 and must not work if their test is positive. Fully vaccinated staff do not need to be routinely tested. Clients who are unvaccinated must wear a face covering and social distance as much as possible.

Each facility must:

• Develop and employ appropriate screening protocol for both staff and clients
• Ensure hand hygiene for both staff and clients
• Enact cleaning and disinfection protocols

And they may

• Require clients to wear a face covering or mask, regardless of their vaccination status

For more information or to view the guidance in its entirety, click here.

The State of New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department [ALTSD] serves more than 200,000 seniors, adults with disabilities, and caregivers across the state with support, services, and resources. Throughout the pandemic, ALTSD provided more than 3 million meals to seniors and adults with disabilities and continues to provide approximately 21,000 grab-n-go meals each day. With a dedicated staff and the help of 4,700 senior volunteers, the department strives to help thousands of New Mexicans achieve healthy aging, attain lifelong independence, and maintain their dignity.