In 2010, a directive for a national demonstration on culture change and the use of information technology in nursing homes was made law.
It was never implemented.
The EINSTEIN Option is a plan for a community of services, value-based care options and affordable residential life for older adults and people living with disabilities.
The institutional long-term care sector urgently requires reforms to finally become a top-quality model of person-directed living. These solutions exist today in pockets of the sector, developed over decades of work by leaders who have long experience in designing and implementing cost-effective change. Some of these leaders are involved with the Live Oak Project, the Gray Panthers, The Eden Alternative, the Center for Innovation’s Green House Project, and other initiatives.
To accelerate transformation of outdated institutional models, we are proposing that HHS undertake a well-organized, 3-year national demonstration designed to transform traditional nursing facilities into vibrant homes serving individuals living with disabilities – in community settings where residents and staff can live, work and thrive.
How It Can Happen
Total funding for this request is $600,000,000. Current legislative authority for this project resides in Section 6114 and Sec. 3021 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, enacted in 2010.
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Tier 1
$150 mil. over three years for comprehensive person-centered training for direct care professionals and all other staff that builds over time— together with close ongoing data tracking, coaching, comprehensive collection of longitudinal quality of life metrics, staffing data and tracking of financial impact.
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Tier 2
$150 mil. over three years for states that submit a plan for how many small homes and/or renovated households would be completed over the three year period. Features would include private rooms and private bathrooms, together with shared living, dining, socializing and cooking spaces, and easy access to common outdoor green space in the community. Funding would flow to facilities with the concurrence and supervision of states and HHS.
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Tier 3
$150 mil. over three years for applicants and key partners, including community economic development organizations, that wish to develop a transformative long-term services and supports (LTSS) continuum-of-care and services model.
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Tier 4
$150 mil. over three years for empowerment and expansion of the Direct Care Workforce.
