|
Consultation Documents
The Ministry of Health has recently completed a consultation about the new regulatory framework for assisted living with non-profit and for profit housing and care associations, health authorities, government programs, consumer and community groups and the public. The discussion papers on this site were sent to a broad group of stakeholders and made available for public review.
What was Included in the Discussion Papers
The Framework for Assisted Living
Consultation document 1, Discussion Paper on a Framework for Assisted Living (PDF 83KB), explained:
- what assisted living is;
- services provided by assisted living residences;
- entry, exit and temporary care procedures for occupants;
- an overview of the Registrar's role in protecting occupants' health and safety;
- guiding principles for the development of the registration system; and
- how standards will be enforced by the Registrar.
The discussion paper also gives an example of the types of personal assistance services (including "prescribed services") assisted living residences provide to seniors and people with disabilities.
Protecting Occupants' Health and Safety
Consultation document 2, Discussion Paper on Health and Safety Standards (PDF 127KB), outlines the minimum standards the ministry proposes assisted living residence operators must meet to protect residents' health and safety. These standards will be set out in regulations. The document sets out proposed standards for:
- operator requirements;
- staffing;
- housing (building and environmental standards);
- hospitality services, such as laundry, housekeeping and meals; and
- personal assistance services (also known as "prescribed services") -- examples include assistance with activities of daily living, such as mobility, and assistance with medications.
An adapted version of the ministry's Personal Assistance Guidelines is provided in the appendix. The guidelines set out the standard practice tasks nonprofessional staff, such as personal care aides, in assisted living residences can perform and the tasks that can be delegated to a nonprofessional by a health care professional, such as a registered nurse. An accompanying chart includes a list of standard practice and delegated tasks
It is anticipated that the assisted living industry will go beyond these standards, once finalized, by developing its own best practices. Health authorities may also establish additional requirements in their contracts with assisted living operators.
The Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services is leading an inter-ministry review of issues related to tenure and service protection in supportive and assisted tenancies. More information on this initiative will be provided in the coming months.
Resolving Complaints
Consultation document 3, Discussion Paper on Complaint Resolution Process (PDF 32KB), sets out the proposed procedure for managing complaints about health and safety concerns. The complaint resolution process is limited to health and safety concerns because that is the scope of the Registrar's responsibilities. This discussion paper explains how complaints can be made and how they will be resolved.
Scope of the Consultation
The Assisted Living Registrar will maintain a register of assisted living residences, develop health and safety standards and resolve health and safety concerns for all publicly and privately funded residences in the province. Comments about matters outside the Registrar's scope of responsibility have been shared with the appropriate ministry or health authority.
Last Revised:
December 17, 2007
|
|
