More Regulations In Store For Assisted Living Facilities In Georgia

New regulations passed by the Georgia General Assembly may help clarify the services that assisted living facilities in Georgia can provide to their residents.  Recognizing an ambiguity in the laws applicable to assisted living facilities, Georgia legislators drew upon similar regulations from Maryland, North Carolina and Oregon to create a more clear cut list of services that assisted living facilities within the state can and cannot provide.

Among the new rules for assisted living facilities in Georgia:

• Certified medication aides will be allowed to help residents with their prescriptions
• More non-ambulatory will be permitted to remain at assisted living facilities as opposed to being transferred automatically to nursing homes
• Private-pay assisted living facilities will face different regulations than their publicly funded counterparts

As the distinctions between assisted living facilities, group homes and nursing homes get clarified, facilities will be given an opportunity to phase in the new regulations over an extended period of time.  Most of the new assisted living regulations will be put into full effect next year.

As alternative care facilities take on a larger role in the care of our seniors, I am glad to see the new regulations proposed.  If nothing else, hopefully the new regulations will help families learn the specific types of care each facility can provide in a clear-cut manner.

Read more about the new regulations applicable to assisted living facilities in Georgia here.