Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 481 - Inspections and Appeals Department
Inspections Division
Chapter 68 - Elder Group Homes
Rule 481-68.1 - Definitions

In addition to the definitions in 481-Chapter 67 and Iowa Code chapter 231B, the following definitions apply.

"Applicable requirements" means Iowa Code chapter 231B, this chapter and 481-Chapter 67 and includes any other applicable administrative rules and provisions of the Iowa Code.

"Change of ownership " means the purchase, transfer, assignment or lease of a certified elder group home and includes a change in the management company responsible for the day-to-day operation of the program, if the management company is ultimately responsible for any enforcement action taken by the department.

"Committee" means a resident advocate committee established by 321-Chapter 9.

"Elder " means a person 60 years of age or older.

"Elder group home " or"EGH" means a single-family residence that is operated by a person who is providing room, board, and personal care and may provide health-related services to three through five elders who are not related to the person providing the service within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity and that is staffed by an on-site manager 24 hours per day seven days per week.

"Household occupant" means a tenant and all others who reside in the EGH.

"In the proximate area" means located within a five minutes or less response time.

"Maximal assistance with activities of daily living" means routine total dependence on staff for the performance of a minimum of four activities of daily living for a period that exceeds 21 days.

"Medically unstable " means that a tenant has a condition or conditions:

1. Indicating physiological frailty as determined by the program's staff in consultation with a physician or physician extender;

2. Resulting in two or more significant hospitalizations within a consecutive three-month period for more than observation; and

3. Requiring supervision by a registered nurse more than once a week of the tenant for more than 21 days.

For example, a tenant who has a condition such as congestive heart failure which results in two or more significant hospitalizations during a quarter and which requires that the tenant receive frequent supervision may be considered medically unstable.

"On-site manager" means the person on duty responsible for direct supervision or provision of tenant care. The on-site manager may be any household occupant over 18 years of age, except a tenant, who is qualified to perform the necessary duties.

"Personal care provider" means an individual who, in return for remuneration, assists with the essential activities of daily living which the tenant can perform personally only with difficulty.

"Program" means an elder group home.

"Unmanageable incontinence " means a condition that requires staff provision of total care for an incontinent tenant who lacks the ability to assist in bladder or bowel continence care.

"Unmanageable verbal abuse " means repeated verbalizations against tenants or staff that persist despite all interventions and that negatively affect the program. "Unmanageable verbal abuse" includes but is not limited to threats, frequent use of profane language, or unwelcome sexually oriented remarks.

"Usable floor space " means open floor space that is not under fixtures, furniture or other barriers and is available for walking or wheelchair use.