Services in Assisted Living

Services in Assisted Living

Accommodation

Assisted living accommodations are a private, lockable self-contained suite that the resident furnishes themselves. Residents have access to common dining and recreational areas.(1)

Hospitality Services

Hospitality services include:(2)

• Meals: two nutritious meals per day, lunch and dinner consistent with a menu plan developed in accordance with Canada’s Food Guide.(3)
• Laundry service for linens and towels, and personal laundry service or access to equipment for resident use.(4)
• Weekly light housekeeping, which includes vacuuming, cleaning hard surfaces such as counters, floors, and bathtubs, but not necessarily washing dishes or deeper cleaning.(5)
• Social and recreational activities, such as games, music, crafts, and regular events. Always check the programming with the facility.(6)
• 24-hour emergency response system (but not 24/7 care).(7)

Some facilities also provide a common dining room, social spaces, or air conditioning.

Assisted Living Services

Assisted Living must include at least one assisted living service. The six types of assisted living services are described in this section.(8)

Activities of daily living(9)

Assisted living may assist residents with activities of daily living, including:

• eating;
• mobility;
• dressing;
• grooming; and
• bathing.

(b) Medication Management(10)

Assisted living may assist residents with managing their medication, including:

• receiving a resident’s medication from a pharmacy;
• storing medications safely;
• distributing medication to residents from the place where it is kept; and
• administering medication to residents.

(c) Therapeutic diets(11)

Assisted living may support residents in delivering therapeutic diets when a modified diet is needed to treat a medical condition, including:

• consulting with health care professionals;
• developing an individual dietary plan;
• training staff on modifying meals; and
• helping residents follow therapeutic diets.

(d) Safekeeping money and personal property(12)

Assisted living may support residents in keeping their property safe, including:

• holding money and personal property safe and secure, up to $300;
• keeping an accounting of records, receipts of money transactions;
• keeping a current inventory for all personal property held for a resident; and
• making records available to the resident and their representative(s).

(e) Behaviour management(13)

Assisted living may support residents in managing behaviors that negatively impact the resident, including:

• working with health care professionals to assess the residents;
• developing a behavior management plan; and
• supporting residents in following the plan.

(f) Psychosocial supports (14)

Assisted Living may offer programs to help residents improve communication skills, interpersonal skills, planning, and engaging with their community. An operator would have to:

• develop a policy on psychosocial programs:
• create the programs;
• post a calendar of the programs being offered; and
• hire staff to lead the program.

References

1. British Columbia, Ministry of Health, “Home and Community Care Policy Manual” (6 February 2023) at ch 5.A, online: <www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/accountability/policy-and-standards/home-and-community-care-policy-manual>.
2. British Columbia, ”About Assisted Living”, online: <www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/assisted-living-in-bc/about-assisted-living>; HCC Policy Manual at 5.A.
3. Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, ss 55-56, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
4. Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 58, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
5. Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 57, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
6. Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 59, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
7. Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 60, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
8. British Columbia, ”Assited Living Services”, online: <www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/assisted-living-in-bc/operating-an-assisted-living-residence/operator-responsibilities/assisted-living-services>; Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, ss 61-72, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
9. Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 62, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
10. Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 63-67, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
11. Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 70, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
12. Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, ss 68-69, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
13. Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 71, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
14. Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 72, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by Seniors First BC, February 2024.

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