Difference between revisions of "Overview of Legal Issues in Residential Care"

The chapter is divided into two parts.  The first is an overview of residential care system and the people who work in this system; the second describes key laws that govern the area and the lives of many residents.

“Residential Care” is the formal term used by the British Columbia Ministry of Health for what the public commonly calls nursing homes, care homes, care centres, long term care homes, extended care, or geriatric care facilities. The Ministry of Health notes:  

:''“Residential Care is for adults with complex health care needs requiring 24-hour professional care due to physical disability or mental or behavioral conditions, including brain injuries or dementia.”''

The term “residential care” refers to places where a person can receive health care services, accommodation and support on a regular basis.  Residential care is typically viewed as providing a higher level of care and support than other types of facilities in the community such as assisted living. Since 2002 under provincial health care policy, publicly funded (subsidized) residential care facilities are available only to people who need “complex care”([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|4]]).