Arizona's Assisted Care Requirements

While nationwide regulations are in place, oversight of assisted living facilities is done largely on a state level. Arizona residences are therefore regulated by the state, which has a specific list of requirements, including a proscription on mentally ill patients. According to the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), part of the American Healthcare Association, the definition of an Arizona assisted living facility has not changed--it is still defined as any residential care facility providing supervisory, personal or directed care services to residents that has been operational from 1998 to 2010.

Levels of Care

• Three levels of care exist in Arizona: Supervisory Care Services, which provides general daily supervision and help in the case of a crisis; Personal Care Services, which means help will be provided with the day-to-day activities encountered each day, and additional nursing services may be provided as needed; and Directed Care Services, which is for those who can no longer recognize situations that may be dangerous to them, and so require constant care. Regardless of the level, an assessment and service plan must be started when a new resident moves in, and fully implemented within 14 days. Supervisory Care Services plans must be updated annually; Personal Care Services plans every six months; and Directed Care Services plans must be reevaluated every three months.

Special Needs

• Facilities are not permitted to accept any residents who must be physically or medically restrained or who require behavioral health residential services. Medication can be administered in the facilities, but only by a licensed nurse, certified assisted living manager or trained caregiver. Managers must be at least 21 years of age, and all staff must undergo first aid and CPR training specific to adult care.

Living Arrangements

• Residents in Arizona cannot be asked to share a room with more than one other roommate, and communal bathrooms cannot be shared by more than eight residents. Private resident rooms must be at least 80 square feet, and shared rooms must have 60 square feet for each resident. At least one full bathroom must be available for each eight residents living in the facility.