An Overview of Kentucky’s Assisted Living Regulations

An Overview of Kentucky’s Assisted Living Regulations

Empowering our users has been one of the top goals of Assisted Living Directory over the years.  This means showing our users and site visitors how to do their own research, and where to find the best information.

One of the ways we like to do this is to show you where to find your state’s assisted living regulations and statutes, so you can know what to expect from assisted living care, and where to go if you wish to file a complaint, of if you have a problem or concern.

For Kentucky, this information is readily accessible to anyone who wishes to view it.

First, we’d like to highlight the agency/department responsible for overseeing assisted living in Kentucky.  This title goes to the Cabinet for Health & Family Services, Department for Aging & Independent Living.

Their website looks like this:

A visit to the Department for Aging and Independent Living site provides useful information and contacts relevant to the state’s assisted living and aging programs.

You’ll learn about Kentucky’s 15 Area Agencies on Aging, Long Term Care Ombudsman Districts, a helpline that you can call if you have questions, concerns or comments, as well as a list of programs provided by the DAIL.

Programs and Services include:

• Aging & Disability Resource Center
• Aging Network
• Adult Day Care and Alzheimer’s Disease Respite
• Assisted Living Community Information and Certification
• Caregiver Support Services
• Elder Abuse Prevention
• State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

and more.

Under the Assisted Living Communities section, there is data and support relevant to assisted living communities in Kentucky.   You’ll see a description/overview of what you can expect from assisted living in Kentucky. 

Additionally, you’ll see a list of Certified Assisted Living communities, by county in Kentucky.   Facility information includes the number of units for each facility, as well as a direct phone number.

There are also consumer checklists for selecting assisted living, as well as a section for Legislation and Regulation of assisted living in Kentucky.

Regulations for Assisted Living in Kentucky

There are two pages/documents I would like to highlight that include the State’s assisted living regulations and status.

First, the Kentucky Legislature website provides the KRS Chapter 194A (Kentucky Revised Statutes), which, includes Assisted Living Communities.  I did a simple ctrl+f on my computer for the term ‘assisted’ and it took me straight to the section.

http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Statutes/chapter.aspx?id=38056

There is a sub-section for definitions, which is important to review, since every state defines assisted living, and related terminology in their own unique way.

http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Statutes/statute.aspx?id=6696

Additional sections include:

• .700 Definitions for KRS 194A.700 to 194A.729.
  
• .703 Requirements for living units.
  
• .705 Services to be provided to assisted-living community clients.
  
• .707 Certification — Administrative regulations — Accreditation by other organizations — Fees — Compliance.
  
• .709 Delivery of health services by staff — Abuse, neglect, and exploitation of clients, policies and reporting.
  
• .711 Criteria to be met by clients.
  
• .713 Contents of lease agreement.
  
• .715 Duty of assisted-living community to provide copy of KRS 194A.700 to 194A.729 and relevant administrative regulations to interested persons.
  
• .717 Staffing requirements — Prohibition against employing staff member with active communicable disease.
  
• .719 In-service education for staff and management.
  
• .721 Exemptions from space and bathing facilities requirements for living units of certain assisted-living communities.
  
• .723 Penalties for operating without certification.
  
• .724 Statements of danger — Penalty for receipt.
  
• .725 Religious orders exempt from KRS 194A.700 to 194A.729.
  
• .727 Ineligibility for certification of businesses not in full compliance with KRS 194A.700 to 194A.729.
  
• .729 Requirement for division to provide information to lending institutions relative to financing for assisted-living community projects — Fee.
  

Another important document to be aware of (or bookmark, print, or save) is the 910 KAR 1:240. Certification of Assisted Living Communities

http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/910/001/240.htm

All of these pages, documents, and sections should be very useful to any senior considering or already living in an assisted living community in Kentucky, as it provides a way for you to understand your rights, and to be able to identify sub-standard care or practices.

Families of residents living in assisted living communities should be familiar with these regulations and documents, or at a minimum, know where to find them for reference (now you do)!

For those who are considering opening an assisted living residence, these pages should provide a starting point for beginning the process of licensing and certification, and provides insights for you to understand what is involved with the day-to-day operations of an assisted living home, to ensure the health, safety and dignity of each resident.