Sen. Chuck Levesque and Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts listen to Tockwotton director Kevin McKay. State house press photo.

Portsmouth state senator Chuck Levesque joined with Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts at the Tockwotton Home in Providence today to celebrate the passage of Nursing Home Culture Change legislation. The bill, S2289A, "aims to shift the culture of Rhode Island nursing facilities to more home-like, resident-driven settings," according to a state house release.

"Today, we celebrate a novel approach to changing the culture of nursing homes in Rhode Island," Levesque said in prepared remarks. "It is an approach that balances disparate demands of long term care. It is a transformative model that shifts from institutional settings to settings that more truly reflect what they are: an individual’s home."

The law, which went into effect July 1, "will help transform and improve the care of Rhode Island's elders without harming the existing nursing industry," said Levesque, who praised the Tockwotton Home where the event was held. "Facilities like Tockwottton, as well as others across the state – Saint Clare Home in Newport and Elmhurst Extended Care in Providence, for example – are leading the way in this transformative new standard of care delivered in settings that promote quality of life and inspire well being for elders."

Levesque sponsored the legislation in the Senate; the House version was sponsored by Joseph McNamara (D-Cranston, Warwick). The two served as co-chairs of the Joint Commission on Nursing Home Culture Change. Levesque also acknowledged the continuing efforts of Roberts, who chairs the Long Term Care Coordinating Council.

Editorial note: Had to work today or I would have covered this in person — this is from a couple of press releases.