The main assisted living regulations vary from area to area so local rules should be considered before either operating one of these centers, or before using one. Either way, there are some basic guidelines within the United States that need to be followed. These assisted living regulations include such things as patient care and drug management, individualized service plans for each patient, and of course basic rules governing the nursing staff.
Patient care is one of the most important aspects of assisted living regulations because the safety of the people in the center is at stake. The first rule that is in place states that the assisted living center must be available for patients 24 hours a day and that they must be monitored at all times. A proper diet must also be made available to all patients, one that meets a patient's basic needs, as well as any specific dietary requirements. If special needs are required, then trained professionals need to be available and ready to assist. The rooms that the patients live in must be kept clean, and if the occupant is not able to accomplish the task, then help will be provided to them. Any physician prescribed medications will be given on the time frames set forth by the doctor, while the person administering the drugs will be responsible to make sure that they are actually consumed by the patient.
Individualized service plans must be made available to all of the people that reside in these centers, and assisted living regulations allow policing officials to randomly check records to make sure that this guideline is being followed. Specific needs are required by intervals, so the center must draw up a care plan that includes their special needs. For example, if a patient is allergic to milk, then they must receive a modified menu that eliminates the dairy products, but still offers them the required nutrients for the day. This plan will be in writing, and can cover any aspect of the patient’s care, ranging from food to sleeping arrangements.
The final main assisted living regulations covers the staff that are responsible for caring for the patients, as well as dealing with their families. The nursing staff must be certified, and have people that oversee them to ensure that the job requirements are met. The people that dispense medication must be trained to do so, and no medications can be substituted or removed without a written consent from the attending physician. The other staff members, such as the ones responsible for personal hygiene, also must be trained and certified, and a person that is first aid trained must always be on hand ready to aid a patient if the need arises.
