The Senate passed legislation to help older adults age in place in Massachusetts by requiring home care agencies to be licensed and meet standards for screening, training, and supervision. The bill also creates a commission to make recommendations for social insurance for long-term care.

“Everyone – consumers and workers – will be safer with home care licensure,” said Senator Patricia D. Jehlen (D-Somerville), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Aging and Independence and lead Senate sponsor of the legislation. “If you qualify for state-paid home care, the agency that sends you workers is required to train and supervise them and meet other standards. But if you’re paying privately, there are a large and growing number of agencies, many for-profit. They send care workers who come into your home and help with grocery shopping and even intimate help with showering. We don’t even know how many such agencies there are. And they don’t have to meet any standards. The bill is supported by home care organizations, SEIU 1199, and consumer groups.”

Regarding the long-term care commission, Jehlen said, “Most of us will need long-term care at some point, and many will find it very hard to afford. The long-term services and supports commission will take the next step toward creating social insurance for long-term care, recommending models with variables such as the required contribution and the amount or duration of benefits. Establishing social insurance for long-term care will make it possible for many more people to age with financial security.”

The House already passed home care licensure. The redrafted bill, now including a long-term care insurance commission, returns to the House for consideration.

— Office of Senator Patricia D. Jehlen