Rules Governing Assisted Living Homes in North Carolina

Assisted living homes, sometimes referred to as multiunit assisted housing with services, may house as many as 100 residents. Assisted living programs provide an array of services to help residents with activities of daily living. Although most states have some commonality, in terms of the licensing procedure, each state has specific requirements. In North Carolina, the governing agency for assisted living facilities is the Division of Health Services Regulation.

Licensing

• The North Carolina Division of Health Services Regulation is responsible for licensing and registering assisted living facilities in addition to issuing and renewing the certification for the facility.

Admission

• Assisted living homes cannot accept individuals with certain conditions, such as, 3rd and 4th degree ulcers, infectious or airborne diseases that require isolation, gastric tubes, ventilator needs and certain psychotropic medications without a diagnosis and care plan. In addition, these facilities cannot accept individuals who require constant nursing care and those who require assistance in four of the seven areas of activities of daily living: eating, dressing and undressing, bathing, bladder and bowel control, personal hygiene, transferring and movement.

Services

• Upon admission, the facility must complete an assessment within seventy-two hours, a follow-up assessment within thirty days, and an annual assessment to assure the needs of the residents are met. Other assessment requirements are dependent on the changes in the conditions of the residents. The facility is responsible for the personal care of the residents, either directly or through a contract with a service provider. Care plans are also a requirement for the facility.

Dietary

• Balanced meals are required in assisted living facilities

  Assisted living facilities must provide three meals a day and a snack. If there are special diets prescribed by a physician, a registered dietitian must review the menu plan.

Staffing and Training

• A supervisor or administrator is required to be on staff at all times. Personal care staff is required to provide personal care for 16 hours during the first two shifts and for eight hours during the 3rd shift.

  You must be 21 years of age to be an administrator, have a clear background check, and meet the minimum education and work experience. Staff (those who provide personal care) and nurses must complete the required number of training hours. Specific training requirements include training on insulin, CPR and restraints.

Monitoring

• Assisted living facilities are inspected annually

  The licensed assisted living facility is monitored by the local county Department of Social Services. The agency will monitor the care of the residents in addition to the overall quality of the facility.