Assisted Living in Alaska

Agency: Division of Public Healt
Phone: (907) 269-3640
Website: http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dph/CL/ALL/default.htm

An assisted living home (or 'home') provides a system of care in a homelike environment for elderly persons and persons with mental or physical disabilities who need assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs).

Facility Scope of Care:
Facilities may provide assistance with ADLs, intermittent nursing services, and skilled nursing care by arrangement. A licensed nurse may delegate certain tasks, including non-invasive routine tasks, to staff

Move-In/Move-Out Requirements:
There are no limits on admission. However, facilities must have a residential services contract in place for each resident. Twentyfour-hour skilled nursing care may not last for more than 45 consecutive days. Terminally ill residents may remain in the facility if a physician confirms their needs are being met. At least 30 days' notice is required before terminating a residential services contract.

Resident Assessment:
A plan must be developed for each resident and it must include certain information. There is no required standard form

Medication Management:
If self-administration of medications is included in a resident's assisted living plan, the facility may supervise the resident's selfadministration of medications.

Physical Plant Requirements:
The home must assure that each resident has furniture typical for residents of homes in the community and neighborhood. Residents must have 'reasonable privacy.' The home must occupy a building that is used exclusively for assisted living, except that a home may be licensed in a building that has more than one occupancy if the other occupancy is consistent with the health, safety, comfort, and well-being of the residents of the assisted living home and the other users of the building comply with applicable fire and environmental health codes

Residents Allowed Per Room:
No more than two residents may be assigned to a bedroom.

Life Safety:
Assisted living homes of all sizes must have a smoke detector in each bedroom and each level of the home. A carbon monoxide detector is required outside of each sleeping area and on each level of the home. Evacuation drills are required quarterly for each shift in a home for five or fewer residents. Homes that provide services to six or more residents must have a fire safety inspection completed every two years and follow the recommendations of that inspection. The height of window sills, size of openable window areas, and emergency exit time requirements with or without a suppression system are specified in regulation. State and municipal fire authorities have adopted International Fire Code standards. Some municipalities have different requirements for sprinkler systems based on occupancy

Alzheimer's Unit Requirements:
Alaska does not have specific Alzheimer's unit requirements. The facility must provide a safe environment for residents with Alzheimer's disease. Any home that provides care to residents with cognitive delays or other disabilities is required to have a department-approved delayed exit system or alarm system to alert staff if someone exits the home.

Staff Training for Alzheimer's Care:
None specified.

Staffing Requirements:
The home must employ the type and number of care providers and other employees necessary to operate the home. The home must have a sufficient number of care providers and other employees with adequate training to implement the home's general staffing plan and to meet the needs of residents as defined in the residents' residential services contracts and assisted living plans. A care provider must be on duty who has CPR training and first aid training. A criminal background investigation is required of staff and other residents of the home who are not considered an assisted living resident.

Staff Education Training:
Care providers in non-supervisory roles must be at least 16 years of age. Care providers working without direct supervision must be 18 years of age and care providers who are 21 years of age may supervise other care providers.

Medicaid Policy and Reimbursements:
A Medicaid home and community-based services waiver covers services. A tiered payment system is used to reimburse for services.