Who Governs Assisted Living Facilities?
There are about one million Americans living in assisted living communities, according to the National Center for Assisted Living. Seniors and their families choose the popular housing option because it offers independence, dignity and privacy among other attractive benefits. Each state regulates the various aspects of assisted living facilities in their jurisdiction. The varying regulations have resulted in a diversity of environments, services and terminology in the field of assisted living.
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Licensure Terms
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More than two-thirds of states use "assisted living" as a licensure term. Other licensure terms include "residential care," "boarding home" and "personal care home." The various terms refer to the same type of care.
Scope of Care
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States regulate assisted living communities according to their scope of care--the range of services offered. Regulations for facilities specializing in Alzheimer's care, for example, differ from those dealing with a more general population.
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Resident Assessment
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Facilities perform assessments to determine whether they can meet residents' needs. Some states require a certain form, time limit for completion and regular updates while other states leave the assessment to the discretion of the facility. Individual service plans for residents are created based on the assessment.
Medication Management
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Assistant living residents take an average of eight medications daily, according to the Assisted Living Federation of America. Regulations specify whether residents can self-administer medication or receive assistance from staff. Requirements also exist regarding the packaging of medications and how they are stored.
Staff Qualifications
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Regulations cover the type of assisted living staff as well as responsibilities and training. Connecticut, for example, requires assisted living facilities to employ a "service coordinator" with specified duties and mandates aides to obtain certification as a home health or nurse's aide. States require facilities to maintain an adequate number of staff to properly care for residents; some specify a certain ratio of staff to residents. States also determine the continuing education requirements for assisted living staff.
Life Safety
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Along with compliance with local building codes, assisted living facilities are required to have written disaster plans. These include procedures for events such as fires, hurricanes and tornadoes. Some states require specific safety training for staff as well as regular disaster drills.
Medicare Eligibility
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Each state dictates which assisted living services, if any, it will cover through its Medicaid plan. Medicaid does not cover room and board costs, but some states allow payment for limited services in an assisted living setting.
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References
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