Eligibility for residency in the residential facility
One of the biggest struggles that Assisted Living Facilities have is low census, which often leads to hasty decisions when it comes to who you accept as a resident into your community- remember not everyone is a fit nor will you be able to provide the care that each potential resident may need. The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services provides strict guidelines on who can be accepted into a residential care facility in the state. Take a look below:
NAC 449.2702 Written policy on admissions; eligibility for residency. (NRS 449.0302)
1. Each residential facility shall have a written policy on admissions which includes:
(a) A statement of nondiscrimination regarding admission to the facility and treatment after admission; and
(b) The requirements for eligibility as a resident of that type of facility.
2. A person who wishes to reside in a residential facility with residents that require a higher category of care than the person requires may reside in the facility if he or she is not otherwise prohibited from residing in the facility.
3. A person who is admitted to a residential facility must be at least 18 years of age.
4. Except as otherwise provided in NAC 449.275 and 449.2754, a residential facility shall not admit or allow to remain in the facility any person who:
(a) Is bedfast;
(b) Requires restraint;
(c) Requires confinement in locked quarters; or
(d) Requires skilled nursing or other medical supervision on a 24-hour basis.
5. A person may not reside in a residential facility if the person’s physician or the Bureau determines that the person does not comply with the requirements for eligibility.
6. As used in this section:
(a) “Bedfast” means a condition in which a person is:
(1) Incapable of changing his or her position in bed without the assistance of another person; or
(2) Immobile.
(b) “Restraint” means:
(1) A psychopharmacologic drug that is used for discipline or convenience and is not required to treat medical symptoms;
(2) A manual method for restricting a resident’s freedom of movement or the resident’s normal access to his or her body; or
(3) A device or material or equipment which is attached to or adjacent to a resident’s body that cannot be removed easily by the resident and restricts the resident’s freedom of movement or the resident’s normal access to his or her body.
Top Takeaway:
- Except as otherwise provided in NAC 449.275and 449.2754, a residential facility shall not admit or allow to remain in the facility any person who:
(a) Is bedfast;
(b) Requires restraint;
(c) Requires confinement in locked quarters; or
(d) Requires skilled nursing or other medical supervision on a 24-hour basis.
This subsection clearly states the stipulation regarding who can be admitted into a facility. If you admit someone with these conditions you are in violation of the regulation and are putting the resident, staff, and your facility licensure at risk.
Pro Tip:
- Clinical, administration and marketing need to be on the same page when it comes to the type of resident you are looking to admit into the community. Ensure you have a process on how to identify the proper fit for you. A red light, yellow light, green light system has proven to work for many facilities.