Unique needs for behavioral health
Residents in an assisted living facility who require behavioral health services are typically unable to live independently and need a structured environment where a specialized treatment plan can be followed. The needs of these residents can be unique and will require the oversight from a behavioral health professional as well as the following requirements included in this regulation providing by the Arizona Bureau of Residential Facilities Licensing:
R9-10-812. Behavioral Care
A manager shall ensure that for a resident who requests or receives behavioral care from the assisted living facility, a behavioral health professional or medical practitioner:
- Evaluates the resident:
- Within 30 calendar days before acceptance of the resident or before the resident begins receiving behavioral care, and
- At least once every six months throughout the duration of the resident’s need for behavioral care;
- Reviews the assisted living facility’s scope of services; and
- Signs and dates a determination stating that the resident’s need for behavioral care can be met by the assisted living facility within the assisted living facility’s scope of services and, for retention of a resident, are being met by the assisted living facility.
R9-10-813. Behavioral Health Services
If an assisted living facility is authorized to provide behavioral health services other than behavioral care, a manager shall ensure that:
- Policies and procedures are established, documented, and implemented that cover when general consent and informed consent are required and by whom general consent and informed consent may be given;
- The behavioral health services:
- Are provided under the direction of a behavioral health professional; and
- Comply with the requirements:
- For behavioral health paraprofessionals and behavioral health technicians, in R9-10-115; and
- For an assessment, in R9-10-1011(B); and
- For a resident who requests or receives behavioral health services from the assisted living facility, a behavioral health professional:
- Evaluates the resident within 30 calendar days before acceptance of the resident and at least once every six months throughout the duration of the resident’s need for behavioral health services;
- Reviews the assisted living facility’s scope of services; and
- Signs and dates a determination stating that the resident’s needs can be met by the assisted living facility within the assisted living facility’s scope of services and, for retention of a resident, are being met by the assisted living facility.
Top Takeaways:
- A behavioral health professional or medical practitioner must:
- Evaluate the resident:
- Within 30 calendar days before acceptance of the resident or before the resident begins receiving behavioral care, and
- At least once every six months throughout the duration of the resident’s need for behavioral care;
Having a behavioral health professional or medical practitioner heavily involved in the residents care is required by BRFL as they must evaluate the resident at a minimum of 30 day prior to the acceptance into the facility and continue to evaluate the needs of the resident at a period of every six months. The inspection team will audit the medical files of these residents to ensure the resident has been under the care of the required personnel.