La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-8789

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-8789 - Community Living

A. General. Community living facilities shall provide a home or apartment setting, or efficiency/studio apartments providing a rehabilitative treatment environment. The community living facility shall be equipped in a manner to help ensure clients their privacy, dignity and independence while preparing them for community integration. There shall be no more than three bedrooms per apartment or six beds per home. Each shall strive to maintain a home-like environment and shall be furnished for living. Each home/apartment shall include at a minimum:

1. a food preparation area consisting of a sink with hot and cold running water, electrical outlets in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, mini refrigerator, cooking appliance, food storage cabinets and counter space;

2. a bathroom that is shared by no more than four individuals which includes a toilet, sink and shower or tub with hot and cold running water, shall be equipped with functional aides and shall be accessible to the individual(s) using it and electrical outlets shall be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

3. dining/sitting/bedroom area;

4. sufficient storage/closet space;

5. an operating emergency call system (wired or wireless) is required for those clients that live alone without 24-hour on-site supervision and shall be easily accessible to those clients that live alone, in the event of an emergency and shall register at a location that is monitored at all hours of the day and night;

6. a lockable front door that can be controlled by the client;

7. heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) thermostats that can be individually controlled by the client, with a locking mechanism provided, if required to prevent harm to a client;

8. at least one operating telephone available 24 hours/day; and

9. the ABI facility shall ensure that any living situation that is selected by the client is:

a. accessible to and functional for the inhabitants of the living space, considering any handicapping condition or other disability of the clients;

b. free from any hazard to the health or safety of the clients;

c. properly equipped with useable facilities for sleeping, food storage and preparation, sanitation, bathing, personal hygiene and household cleaning;

d. accessible to transportation; and

e. accessible to any services as required by the clients plan of services or individual program, and in compliance with applicable health, safety and sanitation codes.

B. A client may reside in an efficiency/studio apartment that shall have a minimum of 250 net square feet of floor space, excluding bathrooms and closets.

C. Homes or apartments with separate bedrooms shall have a living area (living/dining/kitchenette) of at least 190 net square feet, excluding bedroom, bathroom and closets. Each separate bedroom shall have a minimum of 100 net square feet, excluding bathroom and closet or wardrobe space.

D. Homes or apartments with a bedroom designed for two individuals shall have a minimum of 200 net square feet excluding bathrooms and closet or wardrobe space. Clients sharing a two person bedroom shall agree, in writing, to this arrangement. No bedrooms shall accommodate more than two clients.

E. Bedrooms shall contain an outside window. A room where access is through a bathroom or another bedroom is prohibited for use as a clients bedroom.

F. There shall be at least 60 net square feet of common space for each home or apartment.

G. Bathrooms shall be located so that they open into a hallway, common area or directly into the bedroom.

1. If the bathroom only opens directly into a bedroom, it shall be for the sole use of the occupants of that bedroom only.

2. Non-skid surfacing or strips shall be installed in all showers and bathing areas. Grab bars shall be installed in all showers and bathing areas if determined to be necessary for the client(s) residing in this space.

3. Hot and cold water faucets shall be easily identifiable.

4. Bathrooms shall not be utilized for storage or purposes other than those indicated by this Subsection.

H. The facility shall have a written plan for providing support and supervision to the clients in supervised living situations. The plan shall ensure:

1. regular contact between the facility personnel and the client at a minimum of three times a week or as specified in the clients service plan; and

2. provisions for emergency access by clients to an appropriate facility staff member on a 24-hour basis.

I. A facility shall, through routine visits by staff to the home or apartment, determine and document that:

1. there is no reasonable cause for believing that the clients mode of life or living situation presents any risks to the clients health or safety;

2. the living situation is maintained in a clean and safe condition;

3. the client is receiving required medical care; and

4. the current plan of services provides appropriate and sufficient services to the client.

J. Staff may have and utilize pass keys to apartments or homes as may be necessary for services or emergencies.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-8789

Promulgated by the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 432185 (11/1/2017).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:254 and 40:2120.31-40.