The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) recognizes the concerns about the 2019-novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and has developed this guidance to address questions regarding Older Adult Daily Living Centers, also known as Adult Day Centers.
What is coronavirus?
COVID-19 is a new virus that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person-to-person. This virus was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. Symptoms of COVID-19, which may appear 2-14 days after exposure, are fever, cough and shortness of breath.
Reporting
Consistent with the Governor’s Emergency Disaster Declaration as well as the closure announcements pertaining to several counties, Older Adult Daily Living Centers shall submit reports of COVID-19 immediately to the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) and copy PDA.
Center Closures
Upon closure of a center, the director of the center must inform the following entities about the closure and assist in the coordination of services for participants:
- The Division of Licensing of PDA;
- Service Coordinators, for those participants who are covered by Medicaid, to arrange for in-home services while the center is closed;
- The local Area Agency on Aging, to arrange for any available in-home meals or services while the center is closed;
- Family members, legal representatives, designees and caregivers, to coordinate a plan to meet the participant’s needs while the center is closed.
All centers shall operate in accordance with the Department of Health’s guidance to protect staff and participants from COVID-19. More information can be found on the Coronavirus Information tab on the Department of Health’s website found in the Additional Resources section of this page.
All centers shall operate in accordance with the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control also found in the Additional Resources section of this page.