Code of Maine Rules
10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL
Chapter 110 - REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE LICENSING AND FUNCTIONING OF SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES AND NURSING FACILITIES
Section 144-110-14 - Social Services

Universal Citation: 10 ME Code Rules ยง 144-110-14

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

14.A. Social Services

The facility must provide social services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental or psychosocial well-being of each resident and address associated family issues. Social services shall be provided in accordance with clearly defined written policies and procedures. The facility shall have written policies and procedures for obtaining social services from appropriate community resources, when a resident requires services that the facility staff is not able to provide.

14.A.1. Social Services Staff

Social services will be provided by social workers holding current and valid licenses as required by State law.

14.A.2. Staff Hours

Facilities shall employ social services staff at a minimum ratio of 1/2 hour, per resident, per week.

14.A.3. Administrative Support

The facility shall provide office space for the provision of social services. This space shall be accessible to residents and shall afford privacy for discussion with residents and/or families. Social services staff shall receive sufficient administrative support to function effectively.

14.A.4. Responsibilities for Social Services Staff
a. Obtaining the psychosocial history and participating in the comprehensive assessment and development of the care plan by the multidisciplinary team (MDT).

b. Participating in the assessment of the resident on a quarterly basis or when there is a significant change in the resident's status.

c. Planning and coordinating discharge planning as directed by the MDT.

d. Assisting the resident and family with discharge plans, including an evaluation of the environment to which the resident will transfer, and referring to appropriate supportive services.

e. Assuring that a resident who displays psychosocial adjustment difficulty receives appropriate treatment and services to achieve as much remotivation and reorientation as possible.

f. Making subsequent visits in a timely manner in order to identify the resident's medically related social and emotional needs and to provide ongoing services, as needed.

g. Maintaining contact with the resident's family and involving them in the resident's care, as appropriate.

h. Maintaining contact with other staff members relative to the resident's needs, and sharing pertinent information.

i. Advocating for the rights of the resident and the resident's family.

j. Arranging and coordinating supportive community services as needed.

k. Preparing and maintaining progress notes as needed, but at least quarterly if problems are identified on the care plan in which the social worker is involved.

l. Recording of significant events, interventions with, or on the behalf of, the resident, discharge planning efforts and referrals made to other agencies or community resources.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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