[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 42, Volume 3]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 42CFR483.15]



[Page 516-517]

 

                         TITLE 42--PUBLIC HEALTH

 

  CHAPTER IV--CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF 

                  HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED)

 

PART 483_REQUIREMENTS FOR STATES AND LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES--Table 

of Contents

 

          Subpart B_Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities

 

Sec. 483.15  Quality of life.



    A facility must care for its residents in a manner and in an 

environment that promotes maintenance or enhancement of each resident's 

quality of life.

    (a) Dignity. The facility must promote care for residents in a 

manner and in an environment that maintains or enhances each resident's 

dignity and respect in full recognition of his or her individuality.

    (b) Self-determination and participation. The resident has the right 

to--

    (1) Choose activities, schedules, and health care consistent with 

his or her interests, assessments, and plans of care;

    (2) Interact with members of the community both inside and outside 

the facility; and

    (3) Make choices about aspects of his or her life in the facility 

that are significant to the resident.

    (c) Participation in resident and family groups. (1) A resident has 

the right to organize and participate in resident groups in the 

facility;

    (2) A resident's family has the right to meet in the facility with 

the families of other residents in the facility;

    (3) The facility must provide a resident or family group, if one 

exists, with private space;

    (4) Staff or visitors may attend meetings at the group's invitation;

    (5) The facility must provide a designated staff person responsible 

for providing assistance and responding to written requests that result 

from group meetings;

    (6) When a resident or family group exists, the facility must listen 

to the views and act upon the grievances and recommendations of 

residents and families concerning proposed policy and operational 

decisions affecting resident care and life in the facility.

    (d) Participation in other activities. A resident has the right to 

participate in social, religious, and community activities that do not 

interfere with the rights of other residents in the facility.

    (e) Accommodation of needs. A resident has the right to--

    (1) Reside and receive services in the facility with reasonable 

accommodation of individual needs and preferences, except when the 

health or safety of the individual or other residents would be 

endangered; and

    (2) Receive notice before the resident's room or roommate in the 

facility is changed.

    (f) Activities. (1) The facility must provide for an ongoing program 

of activities designed to meet, in accordance with the comprehensive 

assessment, the interests and the physical, mental, and psychosocial 

well-being of each resident.

    (2) The activities program must be directed by a qualified 

professional who--

    (i) Is a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist or an 

activities professional who--

    (A) Is licensed or registered, if applicable, by the State in which 

practicing; and

    (B) Is eligible for certification as a therapeutic recreation 

specialist or as an activities professional by a recognized accrediting 

body on or after October 1, 1990; or

    (ii) Has 2 years of experience in a social or recreational program 

within the last 5 years, 1 of which was full-time in a patient 

activities program in a health care setting; or

    (iii) Is a qualified occupational therapist or occupational therapy 

assistant; or

    (iv) Has completed a training course approved by the State.

    (g) Social Services. (1) The facility must provide medically-related 

social services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, 

mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident.

    (2) A facility with more than 120 beds must employ a qualified 

social worker on a full-time basis.

    (3) Qualifications of social worker. A qualified social worker is an 

individual with--

    (i) A bachelor's degree in social work or a bachelor's degree in a 

human services field including but not limited to



[[Page 517]]



sociology, special education, rehabilitation counseling, and psychology; 

and

    (ii) One year of supervised social work experience in a health care 

setting working directly with individuals.

    (h) Environment. The facility must provide--

    (1) A safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment, allowing 

the resident to use his or her personal belongings to the extent 

possible;

    (2) Housekeeping and maintenance services necessary to maintain a 

sanitary, orderly, and comfortable interior;

    (3) Clean bed and bath linens that are in good condition;

    (4) Private closet space in each resident room, as specified in 

Sec. 483.70(d)(2)(iv) of this part;

    (5) Adequate and comfortable lighting levels in all areas;

    (6) Comfortable and safe temperature levels. Facilities initially 

certified after October 1, 1990 must maintain a temperature range of 71-

81[deg]F; and

    (7) For the maintenance of comfortable sound levels.



[56 FR 48871, Sept. 26, 1991, as amended at 57 FR 43924, Sept. 23, 1992]