The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) released a new report entitled “2010 Assisted Living State Regulatory Review,” (pdf) which provides a state-by-state summary of assisted living regulations in 2009 for 21 categories.

“Staff Education/Training,” “Staff Training for Alzheimer’s Care,” and “Continuing Education Requirements” for assisted living facilities are among the regulatory categories included in the March 2010 report. The NCAL report notes that “at last eight states increased or changed required staff training.”

“As assisted living becomes a part of the full array of long-term care supports and services in more states, it is good to see growing sophistication and effectiveness of state training programs for direct-care staff,” said PHI Midwest Director Hollis Turnham.

Staff Education/Training regulations vary widely state-by-state. In California, for example, staff who assist residents with personal activities of daily living must receive at least 10 hours of training within the first four weeks of employment and at least four hours annually thereafter, according to the report. In Alaska the only requirement listed is the age of the care provider.

The report explains that there are federal laws that impact assisted living but oversight of assisted living occurs primarily at the state level.

Some other highlights of the report are:

• At least 22 states reported making statutory, regulatory, or policy changes in 2009 impacting assisted living/residential care communities or assisted living Medicaid coverage.
• At least eight states made major statutory or regulatory changes or overhauled sections of their rules. Georgia, New Mexico, and Iowa, for example, created or added to protections for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Other states making or implementing major changes include Kansas, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
• Focal points of state assisted living policy development in 2009 include disclosure of information; life safety/emergency preparedness; Alzheimer’s/dementia standards; staff training; resident assessment/service plans; medication management; move-in/move-out requirements; staffing; background checks, reporting requirements, and resident rights.
• Many states made changes to Medicaid programs covering assisted living services. While several states cut or changed how they calculate rates, a few engineered or planned modest coverage expansions.

A printed copy of the report is available; call (202) 898-2855, or send an e-mail to myates@ncal.org.

– by Deane Beebe