Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 481 - Inspections and Appeals Department
Inspections Division
Chapter 69 - Assisted Living Programs
Rule 481-69.1 - Definitions

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

"Accredited" means that the program has received accreditation from an accreditation entity recognized in subrule 69.14(1).

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

"Assisted living" or "program " means provision of housing with services, which may include but are not limited to health-related care, personal care, and assistance with instrumental activities of daily living, to three or more tenants in a physical structure which provides a homelike environment. "Assisted living" also includes encouragement of family involvement, tenant self-direction, and tenant participation in decisions that emphasize choice, dignity, privacy, individuality, shared risk, and independence. "Assisted living" includes the provision of housing and assistance with instrumental activities of daily living only if personal care or health-related care is also included. "Assisted living" includes 24 hours per day response staff to meet scheduled and unscheduled or unpredictable needs in a manner that promotes maximum dignity and independence and provides supervision, safety, and security.

"CARF" means the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.

"Change of ownership" means the purchase, transfer, assignment or lease of a certified assisted living program 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.

"Cognitive disorder " means a disorder characterized by cognitive dysfunction presumed to be the result of illness that does not meet the criteria for dementia, delirium, or amnestic disorder.

"Dementia-specific assisted living program " means an assisted living program certified under this chapter that:

1. Serves fewer than 55 tenants and has 5 or more tenants who have dementia between Stages 4 and 7 on the Global Deterioration Scale, or

2. Serves 55 or more tenants and 10 percent or more of the tenants have dementia between Stages 4 and 7 on the Global Deterioration Scale, or

3. Holds itself out as providing specialized care for persons with dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, in a dedicated setting.

"Dwelling unit" means a single unit which provides complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping and sanitation, and which may include permanent provisions for eating and cooking. "Sanitation" for purposes of this definition means bathroom fixtures as required by this chapter.

"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 three or more significant hospitalizations within a consecutive three-month period for more than observation; and

3. Requiring frequent supervision of the tenant for more than 21 days by a registered nurse. For example, a tenant who has a condition such as congestive heart failure which results in three or more significant hospitalizations during a quarter and which requires that the tenant receive frequent supervision may be considered medically unstable.

"Nonaccredited" means that the program has been certified under the provisions of this chapter but has not received accreditation from an accreditation entity recognized in subrule 69.14(1).

"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.