Iowa

What is it called?

·         Assisted Living Program

What services are provided?

·        Facility provides

o       Assistance with activities of daily living

o       Assistance with instrumental activities of daily living

o       Personal care services

o       Health related care that is on an intermittent basis

§         With state permission, a facility may provide more than intermittent care

o       Medication administration

·        Third-party services

o       Facility may contract with a certified home health agency

Who can be admitted?

·        Need for assistance with activities of daily living

Who is inappropriate?

·        Need for continuous health-related care

·        Inability to get out of bed unassisted

·        Need for licensed nursing care for an unstable medical condition

·        Need for daily medication injections, other than insulin injections, from a licensed nurse

·        Need for daily assessment/treatment of open wound or pressure sore

·        Unmanageable incontinence

·        Need for routine two-person assistance with mobility

·        A danger to self or others, including chronic wandering into danger

·        Active-stage contagious disease

·        Acute alcoholism, drug addiction, or mental illness

·        Meet transfer criteria set forth in occupancy agreement beyond those criteria set forth in law

What training is required for direct care staff?

·        All staff must be able to implement emergency procedures

·        Must be able to perform tasks that are assigned to the staff

Is nurse staffing required?

·        If a facility administers prescription drugs or provides physician-directed or health-related care, a registered nurse must be provided to:

o       Monitor residents

o       Ensure that medication procedures are followed

o       Ensure that orders are brought current at least every 30 days

o       Assess, document, and make recommendations regarding the resident’s condition

Is any public payment available?

·        Yes, the Medicaid program may pay for assisted living services through a Medicaid Home and Community Based Services Waiver

o       Maximum cap of $1025 per month on care plans

More Information

Department of Inspections and Appeals                                    Iowa Long Term Care Ombudsman

(515) 281 – 6325                                                                     (515) 242 - 3327

www.state.ia.us/government/dia