Nevada aging services provide residents long-term care planning help

The Department of Health and Human Services, through its Aging and Disability Services Division, runs a program to help residents plan for long-term care. The program serves Nevada residents and must address the needs of older residents, including people who are not proficient in English, veterans, and rural residents. The program uses varied media, draws on practices from other states, and involves community and other stakeholders. The Division may roll out the program in phases and may choose counties for pilot programs. The law took effect upon passage and approval. The Division may phase in the program, initially prioritizing areas with many older residents and limited access to planning resources.

The Division evaluates the program, gathers input, and submits a report each year through the Administrator. The evaluation and reports concern the long-term care planning program. The Division may adopt regulations to carry out the program. The Administrator must submit the report by February 1 each year. Even-year reports go to the Legislative Commission and the health and human services committee; odd-year reports go to the next regular legislative session.

The law asks the Guardianship Commission to review parts of the Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act and recommend whether Nevada should adopt more of them. The review covers parts of the Uniform Act that Nevada has not enacted and how other jurisdictions have put those parts into effect. The Commission is asked to do this review as part of its normal work and may give recommendations in writing or at a committee meeting.