Updated Wednesday, July 26th, 2023
Dementia Care
Some facilities offer special services to persons with dementia if they meet certain licensing requirements. Review the facility’s plan of operation to find out about their philosophy of dementia care, special dementia services and staff training.
- Refer to the Dementia Care Checklist.
- Family caregivers should contact support groups available through the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org/norcal or Family Caregiver Alliance 1-800-445-8106 or atwww.caregiver.org for regional Caregiver Resource Centers.
Health-Related Conditions Accepted
Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly are non-medical facilities. Therefore, some medical conditions are not allowed (prohibited health conditions) in a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (e.g., tube feeding, open bedsores, i.e. stage 3 bedsores). Individuals who require 24-hour nursing care are not allowed in a residential care facility for the elderly.
Other health conditions (restricted health conditions), e.g., liquid oxygen, catheter or colostomy/ileastomy care, diabetes, etc., may be allowed if the resident is physically and mentally capable of performing self-care or the care is performed by an appropriately skilled professional.
Check the facilities’ license to see if they have met the requirements to serve persons who need help in leaving the building in case of emergency either by mechanical device such as a wheelchair or walker or by staff assistance (i.e., non-ambulatory). The facility might also have a “waiver” from the licensing agency permitting them to offer services to persons who are diagnosed with a terminal medical condition (i.e., hospice waiver).