Assisted living facilities serve as a bridge between independent living and nursing homes. They allow seniors to maintain their independence and the right to choose how they will spend each day. They provide a place for seniors to socialize with others who may share their views and memories of times past. For many, assisted living centers are the best solution between living alone and living in a place where the activities of life are totally directed by others.
Oversight and Regulation
Assisted living facilities are regulated by the Department of Aging and Disability Services, or DADS, in Texas. The regulations for assisted living facilities are found in the manual for operators compiled by DADS and in Title 40 of the Texas Administrative Code, or TAC.
Types
There are several types of assisted living facilities. Type A facilities serve residents who have the mental capacity to make their own decisions and to follow directions in emergencies; who do not require attendance during nighttime sleeping hours and who are capable of evacuating the premises in an emergency. Type B facilities serve residents who are not permanently bedridden but who may require assistance following directions, during an evacuation or during nighttime hours. Type C facilities provide adult foster care services in a four-bed facility. Type E residents must meet the same requirements as Type A residents. However, facility employees are forbidden from supplying "substantial assistance" with activities associated with daily living.
Licensing and Regulations
Assisted living providers in the state of Texas must obtain a Type A or Type B license from the DADS. The licensing requirements differ according to the facility type. For example, Type C facilities must be contracted to provide adult foster care services by DADS. To obtain a license, applicants must fill out an application, pay the licensure fee and pass the "Health and Life Safety Code" inspection.
Admissions
Residents must meet certain admission requirements before moving into an assisted living facility. According to the DADS Licensing Standards, Subchapter A, 92.41, assisted living facilities cannot admit residents who need the "services of facility employees who are licensed nurses on a daily or regular basis" unless the care is short-term or due to a terminal illness. Residents must undergo a physical examination within a month of admission or within 14 days after admission. A written agreement between the facility and the resident must be completed. The agreement must contain a copy of the available services and the fee schedule for the services. The facility must keep a record of a resident's personal identifying information on file.
Austin Facilities
There are many assisted living facilities located in Austin, Texas. The Area on Aging of the Capital Area lists assisted living facilities by address and ZIP code. The website publishes the Assisted Living Directory to help users know what to look for in facilities. The site can be accessed at aaacap.org/assistedalpha.html. The Long Term Care Project maintains a website with the Austin, Texas Assisted Living Directory. The directory contains information on facility location, size, type and contact information.
References
- Texas Aging Network: Licensing Standards for Texas Assisted Living Facilities
- Department of Aging and Disability Services: How to Become an ALF Provider
- Area Agency on Aging of The Capital Area: Alphabetical Assisted Living Facilities
- The Long Term Care Project: Austin, Texas Assisted Living Directory
