Services in Assisted Living
2.2 Services in Assisted Living[edit]
2.2.1 Accommodation[edit]
Assisted living accommodations are a private, lockable self-contained suite that the resident furnishes themselves. Residents have access to common dining and recreational areas.<ref>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>. </ref>
2.2.2 Hospitality Services[edit]
Hospitality services include:<ref>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. </ref>
- Meals: two nutritious meals per day, lunch and dinner consistent with a menu plan developed in accordance with Canada’s Food Guide.<ref>Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, ss 55-56, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.</ref>
- Laundry service for linens and towels, and personal laundry service or access to equipment for resident use.<ref>Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 58, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.</ref>
- Weekly light housekeeping, which includes vacuuming, cleaning hard surfaces such as counters, floors, and bathtubs, but not necessarily washing dishes or deeper cleaning.<ref>Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 57, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.</ref>
- Social and recreational activities, such as games, music, crafts, and regular events. Always check the programming with the facility.<ref>Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 59, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.</ref>
- 24-hour emergency response system (but not 24/7 care).<ref>Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 60, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.</ref>
Some facilities also provide a common dining room, social spaces, or air conditioning.
2.2.3 Assisted Living Services [edit]
Assisted Living must include at least one assisted living service. The six types of assisted living services are described in this section.<ref>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>. </ref>
Activities of daily living<ref>
Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 62, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
</ref>
Assisted living may assist residents with activities of daily living, including:
- eating;
- mobility;
- dressing;
- grooming; and
- bathing.
(b) Medication Management<ref>Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 63-67, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
</ref>
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<ref>Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 70, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>. </ref>
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<ref>Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, ss 68-69, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>. </ref>
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<ref>Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 71, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>. </ref>
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 <ref>Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 72, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
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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[edit]
- 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>.
- 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.
- Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, ss 55-56, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
- Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 58, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
- Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 57, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
- Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 59, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
- Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 60, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
- 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>.
- Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 62, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
- Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 63-67, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
- Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 70, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
- Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, ss 68-69, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
- Assisted Living Regulation, BC Reg 189/2019, s 71, online: <canlii.ca/t/9lrn>.
- 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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