17.63—Approval of community residential care facilities.
The approving official may approve a community residential care facility, based on the report of a VA inspection and on any findings of necessary interim monitoring of the facility, if that facility meets the following standards:
(1)
Meet all State and local regulations including construction, maintenance, and sanitation regulations;
(2)
Meet the requirements in the applicable provisions of NFPA 101 and NFPA 101A (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1) and the other publications referenced in those provisions. The institution shall provide sufficient staff to assist patients in the event of fire or other emergency. Any equivalencies or variances to VA requirements must be approved by the appropriate Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) Director;
(3)
Have safe and functioning systems for heating and/or cooling, as needed (a heating or cooling system is deemed to be needed if VA determines that, in the county, parish, or similar jurisdiction where the facility is located, a majority of community residential care facilities or other extended care facilities have one), hot and cold water, electricity, plumbing, sewage, cooking, laundry, artificial and natural light, and ventilation.
(4)
Meet the following additional requirements, if the provisions for One and Two-Family Dwellings, as defined in NFPA 101, are applicable to the facility:
(i)
Portable fire extinguishers must be installed, inspected, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 10 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1 ); and
(2)
Have confortable living room areas, adequate in size to accommodate a reasonable proportion of residents; and
(3)
Maintain at least one functional toilet and lavatory, and bathing or shower facility for every six people living in the facility, including provider and staff.
(2)
Measure, exclusive of closet space, at least 100 square feet for a single-resident room, or 80 square feet for each resident in a multiresident room; and
(1)
Provide a safe and sanitary food service that meets individual nutritional requirements and residents' preferences;
(g) Activities.
The facility must plan and facilitate appropriate recreational and leisure activities to meet individual needs.
(h) Residents' rights.
The facility must have written policies and procedures that ensure the following rights for each resident:
(ii)
The confidentiality and nondisclosure of information obtained by community residential care facility staff on the residents and the residents' records subject to the requirements of applicable law;
(iii)
Be able to inspect the residents' own records kept by the community residential care facility;
(v)
Voice grievances and make recommendations concerning the policies and procedures of the facility.
(2) Financial affairs.
Residents must be allowed to manage their own personal financial affairs, except when the resident has been restricted in this right by law. If a resident requests assistance from the facility in managing personal financial affairs the request must be documented.
(4) Work.
No resident will perform household duties, other than personal housekeeping tasks, unless the resident receives compensation for these duties or is told in advance they are voluntary and the patient agrees to do them.
(i)
Receive visitors and associate freely with persons and groups of their own choosing both within and outside the facility;
(ii)
Make contacts in the community and achieve the highest level of independence, autonomy, and interaction in the community of which the resident is capable;
(6) Transfer.
Residents have the right to transfer to another facility or to an independent living situation.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 2900-0491)
(j) Staff requirements.
(1)
Sufficient, qualified staff must be on duty and available to care for the resident and ensure the health and safety of each resident.
(2)
The community residential care provider and staff must have the following qualifications: Adequate education, training, or experience to maintain the facility.
(k) Cost of community residential care.
(1)
Payment for the charges of community residential care is not the responsibility of the United States Government or VA.
(2)
The resident or an authorized personal representative and a representative of the community residential care facility must agree upon the charge and payment procedures for community residential care.
(i)
For residents in a community residential care facility as of June 14, 1989, the rates charged for care are pegged to the facility's basic rate for care as of July 31, 1987. Increases in the pegged rate during any calendar year cannot exceed the annual percentage increase in the National Consumer Price Index (CPI) for that year;
(ii)
For community residential care facilities approved after July 31, 1987, the rates for care shall not exceed 110 percent of the average rate for approved facilities in that State as of March 31, 1987. Increases in this rate during any calendar year cannot exceed the annual percentage increase in the National Consumer Price Index (CPI) for that year.
(iii)
The approving official may approve a deviation from the requirements of paragraphs (k)(3)(i) through (ii) of this section upon request from a community residential care facility representative, a resident in the facility, or an applicant for residency, if the approving official determines that the cost of care for the resident will be greater than the average cost of care for other residents, or if the resident chooses to pay more for the care provided at a facility which exceeds VA standards.