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Washington
A short summary of assisted living
Washington State
What is it called?
- Boarding Home
- Licensed as one of four different models
What services are provided?
· Facility must provide
o Model one
· General responsibility for residents’ safety and health
o Model two
· General responsibility for residents’ safety and health
· Nursing services
o Model three
· General responsibility for residents’ safety and health
· Assistance with activities of daily living
o Model four
· General responsibility for residents’ safety and health
· Nursing services
· Assistance with activities of daily living
· Facility may provide
o Domiciliary care services
o Health support services
o Intermittent nursing services, including
· Medication administration
· Health care treatments
· Diabetic management
· Non-routine ostomy care
· Tube feeding
· Third-party services
o Resident is allowed to receive services from a home health agency, hospice agency, home care agency, or any other licensed health care provider, or Independent Provider
Who can be admitted?
· Anyone whose needs can be accommodated by the facility (facility has broad discretion)
Who is inappropriate?
· Requires frequent presence of a registered nurse (unless resident is receiving hospice care or has a sort-term illness that will be resolved in 14 days)
· Needs cannot be met by the facility provided that reasonable accommodations cannot enable the facility to meet resident needs
What training is required for direct care staff?
· Initial training
o Problem solving skills and performance of personal care tasks
o Special needs training when caring for a resident with dementia, mental illness, or a developmental disability
o Nurse delegation training for nursing assistants who accept delegated nursing tasks
o Specifically designated dementia care project facilities have additional training beyond the dementia specialty training
· Continuing training
o Annually on relevant topics
Is any public payment available?
· Yes, the Medicaid program may pay for assisted living services through a Medicaid Home and Community Based Services Waiver
· According to the 2007 Assisted Living State Regulatory Review, a Medicaid Home and Community Based Services Waiver covers Assisted Living, Enhanced Adult Residential Care, and Adult Residential Care contracted services in boarding homes that contract with DSHS / ADSA to serve Medicaid clients. Medicaid payments to boarding homes are based on the assessed needs of the residents. Additionally, boarding homes may contract with DSHS / ADSA to provide specialized dementia care.
More Information
Department of Social and Health Services/Aging and Disability Services Administration
(360) 725 – 2300
Washington Long Term Care Ombudsman
(800) 422 - 1384