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Administrative Code

Virginia Administrative Code
11/21/2024

Article 2. Mixed Population

22VAC40-73-1010. Applicability.

Article 2
Mixed Population

The requirements in this article apply when there is a mixed population consisting of any combination of (i) residents who have serious cognitive impairments due to a primary psychiatric diagnosis of dementia who are unable to recognize danger or protect their own safety and welfare and who are not in a special care unit as provided for in Article 3 (22VAC40-73-1080 et seq.) of this part; (ii) residents who have serious cognitive impairments due to any other diagnosis who cannot recognize danger or protect their own safety and welfare; and (iii) other residents. The requirements in this article also apply when all the residents have serious cognitive impairments due to any diagnosis other than a primary psychiatric diagnosis of dementia and cannot recognize danger or protect their own safety and welfare. Except for special care units covered by Article 3 of this part, these requirements apply to the entire facility unless specified otherwise.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217, 63.2-1732, 63.2-1802, 63.2-1805, and 63.2-1808 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 2018.

22VAC40-73-1020. Staffing.

A. When residents are present, there shall be at least two direct care staff members awake and on duty at all times in each building who shall be responsible for the care and supervision of the residents.

B. The requirements of subsection A of this section do not apply to assisted living facilities that are licensed for 10 or fewer residents if not more than three of the residents have serious cognitive impairments. The staffing provisions of 22VAC40-73-280 D apply.

C. During trips away from the facility, there shall be sufficient direct care staff to provide sight and sound supervision to all residents who cannot recognize danger or protect their own safety and welfare.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217, 63.2-1732, 63.2-1802, 63.2-1805, and 63.2-1808 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018.

22VAC40-73-1030. Staff training.

A. Within three months of the starting date of employment, the administrator shall attend 12 hours of training in working with individuals who have a cognitive impairment, and the training shall meet the requirements of subsection C of this section.

1. Training in cognitive impairment that meets the requirements of subsection C of this section and was completed in the year prior to employment is transferable and counts toward the required 12 hours if there is documentation of the training.

2. Whether the training counts toward continuing education for administrator licensure and for what period of time depends upon the licensure requirements of the Virginia Board of Long-Term Care Administrators.

B. Within four months of the starting date of employment, direct care staff shall attend six hours of training in working with individuals who have a cognitive impairment, and the training shall meet the requirements of subsection C of this section.

1. The six-hour training received within the first four months of employment is counted toward the annual training requirement for the first year.

2. Training in cognitive impairment that meets the requirements of subsection C of this section and was completed in the year prior to employment is transferable if there is documentation of the training.

3. The documented previous cognitive impairment training referenced in subdivision 2 of this subsection is counted toward the required six hours but not toward the annual training requirement.

C. Curriculum for the training in cognitive impairment for direct care staff and administrators shall be developed by a qualified health professional or by a licensed social worker, shall be relevant to the population in care, shall maximize the level of a resident's functional ability, and shall include:

1. Information about cognitive impairment, including areas such as cause, progression, behaviors, and management of the condition;

2. Communicating with the resident;

3. Resident care techniques for residents with physical, cognitive, behavioral, and social disabilities;

4. Managing dysfunctional behavior;

5. Creating a therapeutic environment;

6. Planning and facilitating activities appropriate for each resident; and

7. Identifying and alleviating safety risks to residents with cognitive impairment.

D. Within the first month of employment, staff, other than the administrator and direct care staff, shall complete two hours of training on the nature and needs of residents with cognitive impairments relevant to the population in care.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217, 63.2-1732, 63.2-1802, 63.2-1805, and 63.2-1808 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 2018.

22VAC40-73-1040. Doors and windows.

A. Doors leading to the outside shall have a system of security monitoring of residents with serious cognitive impairments, such as door alarms, cameras, constant staff oversight, security bracelets that are part of an alarm system, or delayed egress mechanisms. Residents with serious cognitive impairments may be limited but not prohibited from exiting the facility or any part thereof. Before limiting any resident from freely leaving the facility, the resident's record shall reflect the behavioral observations or other bases for determining that the resident has a serious cognitive impairment and cannot recognize danger or protect his own safety and welfare.

B. There shall be protective devices on the bedroom and the bathroom windows of residents with serious cognitive impairments and on windows in common areas accessible to these residents to prevent the windows from being opened wide enough for a resident to crawl through. The protective devices on the windows shall be in conformance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63).

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217, 63.2-1732, 63.2-1802, 63.2-1805, and 63.2-1808 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 2018.

22VAC40-73-1050. Outdoor access.

A. The facility shall have a secured outdoor area for the residents' use or provide direct care staff supervision while residents with serious cognitive impairments are outside.

B. Weather permitting, residents with serious cognitive impairments shall be reminded of the opportunity to be outdoors on a daily basis.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217, 63.2-1732, 63.2-1802, 63.2-1805, and 63.2-1808 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 2018.

22VAC40-73-1060. Indoor walking area.

The facility shall provide to residents free access to an indoor walking corridor or other indoor area that may be used for walking.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217, 63.2-1732, 63.2-1802, 63.2-1805, and 63.2-1808 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 2018.

22VAC40-73-1070. Environmental precautions.

A. Special environmental precautions shall be taken by the facility to eliminate hazards to the safety and well-being of residents with serious cognitive impairments. Examples of environmental precautions include signs, carpet patterns and arrows that point the way, and reduction of background noise.

B. When there are indications that ordinary materials or objects may be harmful to a resident with a serious cognitive impairment, these materials or objects shall be inaccessible to the resident except under staff supervision.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217, 63.2-1732, 63.2-1802, 63.2-1805, and 63.2-1808 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 2018.

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