First Assisted-Living Guidelines Proposed

An 18-month federal study has been released which suggests the first-ever guidelines for assisted-living facilities. Aimed at promoting consistent quality, the study proposes regulation of new resident contracts, medication, and additional staffing standards among others.

The fastest-growing segment of U.S. long-term care for the aging, (USAToday, 2003) assisted living facilities are currently regulated solely by the state in which they are located. Thus the new federal guidelines would not bind states, but still mark a significant movement towards upgrading the industry. With nearly 40,000 assisted-living facilities in the United States last year, the facilities have increased 48% from 1998, according to the National Academy for State Health Policy. The growth of the industry has called to attention the need for their regulation and close inspection, as it has unfortunately been accompanied by claims of abuse and neglect.

The Senate Special Committee on Aging called for the study in light of the exponential growth of assisted living. While such facilities traditionally do not provide skilled nursing care, these private living units with 24-hour staffs provide care that is preferred over the traditional Nursing Home. 

The federal study suggests:

• Written disclosure of all costs, services and policies
  
• Regulations to check that “trained and awake staff are on duty” at all times, as well as to maintain accurate administration of medication is administered
  
• Insitution of a national Center for Excellence in Assisted Living that would be charged with regulations and further studies
  
• Increased state and federal funding for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, the organization that handles complaints and represents the interests of Assisted-Living residents

Sen. John Breaux, ranking minority member of the Senate panel, expressed the hope of the panel that the report will “motivate states to ensure quality of care.”