New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 8 - HEALTH
Chapter 36 - STANDARDS FOR LICENSURE OF ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCES, COMPREHENSIVE PERSONAL CARE HOMES, AND ASSISTED LIVING PROGRAMS
Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 8:36-1.2 - Purpose

(a) The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum standards with which an assisted living residence, comprehensive personal care home or assisted living program must comply in order to be licensed to operate in New Jersey.

(b) The purpose of these rules is to establish standards for assisted living residences, comprehensive personal care homes (which may be collectively referred to as assisted living facilities) and assisted living programs, all of which are intended to promote "aging in place" in a homelike setting for frail elderly and disabled persons, including persons who require nursing home level of care. Assisted living residences, comprehensive personal care homes and assisted living programs assure that residents receive supportive health and social services as they are needed to enable them to maintain their independence, individuality, privacy, and dignity in an apartment-style living unit or, in the case of assisted living programs, a living unit in publicly subsidized housing. The assisted living environment actively encourages and supports these values through effective methods of service delivery and facility or program operation and promotes resident self direction and personal decision-making while protecting residents' health and safety.

(c) An assisted living residence or comprehensive personal care home offers a suitable living arrangement for persons with a range of capabilities, disabilities, frailties, and strengths. In general, however, assisted living is not appropriate for individuals who are incapable of responding to their environment, expressing volition, interacting, or demonstrating any independent activity. For example, individuals in a persistent vegetative state should not be placed or cared for in an assisted living residence, comprehensive personal care home or assisted living program.

(d) In the case of hospice, the purpose of these rules is to promote the establishment of assisted living residences or comprehensive personal care homes to serve terminally ill persons who lack adequate caregiving support to meet their needs while residing at home.