ADMISSION CRITERIA AND REGULATIONS

Admission Criteria

An individual must meet the following minimum criteria in order to be admitted to a facility holding a standard, limited nursing services, or limited mental health license:

1. Be at least 18 years of age.
2. Be free from signs and symptoms of any communicable disease that is likely to be transmitted to other residents or staff. 
3. Be able to perform the activities of daily living, with supervision or assistance if necessary.
4. Be able to transfer, with assistance if necessary. The assistance of more than one person is permitted.
5. Be capable of taking medication, by either self-administration, assistance with self-administration, or administration of medication.

Scope of Care

Assisted Living Facilities in Florida may provide assistance with personal care services including medications. Facilities may hold one of three licenses: 

1. Extended congregate care license which allows facilities to provide more extensive day to day living assistance and nursing services to residents; 
2. Limited nursing services license which allows certain nursing services set forth with state regulations; and
3. Limited mental health license that allows facilities to serve low-income, chronically mentally ill residents. Home health agencies contract with residents to help care for them.

Admission Requirements

In the state of Florida, a resident must be capable of performing day to day living activities with supervision or assistance, not require 24-hour nursing supervision, be free of stage II, III, or IV pressure sores, be able to participate in most social and leisure activities, be ambulatory, and not display violent behavior in order to be admitted into an Assisted Living Facility. A resident must be discharged if he or she is no longer able to meet this criteria, or is bedridden for more than seven days.

Health Assessment (Form 1823)

Within 60 days prior to a residents’ admission, and no later than 30 days after admission, residents must be examined by a physician or advanced registered nurse practitioner who provides the administrator with a medical examination report. Examinations conducted up to 30 days after a resident’s admission must be recorded on the Resident Health Assessment form.  

The owner or administrator of a facility is responsible for determining the appropriateness of admission of an individual to the facility and for determining the continued appropriateness of residence of an individual in the facility. A determination shall be based upon an assessment of the strengths, needs, and preferences of the resident, the care and services offered or arranged by the facility in accordance with facility policy, and any limitations in law or rule related to admission criteria or continued residency for the type of license held by the facility under this part.

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Medication Management Requirements

Unlicensed staff may provide assistance with self administered medications. Staff must have a minimum of four additional hours of training provided by an RN, licensed pharmacist, or Department of Elder Affairs staff in order to assist with medications.