Seniors who live in Alaska’s assisted living facilities are protected by an extensive set of laws and regulations designed to govern senior care across the state. Some of the more relevant state regulations and laws are listed below.

Assisted Living Service Plan Requirements

Assisted living service plans must be completed within 30 days of admission and must be approved by either the resident or their representative. This plan must outline any strengths or weaknesses a resident has performing the activities of daily living, any impairments or physical disabilities, roommate preferences, selections for living environment, entertainment and food, and the resident's religious affiliation. Service plans identify the services to be provided by the assisted living community or other agencies and will explain how the community will address the resident's health-related needs.

The care planning process involves identifying any risks and providing options to meet the resident's needs regarding their abilities, service needs and preferences. All risks must be discussed with the resident or their representative and allow them the opportunity to assess possible risks when making their selections. The plan must also recognize the right of the assisted living facility to refuse to accept the options and associated risks the resident has chosen.

Service plans will be re-evaluated annually except those that include health-related services which will be subject to quarterly re-evaluations. Residents who need health-related services that require a skilled nurse or those who need hospice care, may select a third-party provider as long as it is not disruptive to the services provided to other residents.

Assisted Living Admission Requirements

Alaska does not have any mandated state admission requirements. However, new residents must not require skilled nursing care for more than 45 days. Seniors who are considered terminal may remain in the community as long as a physician feels their needs are being met.

Assisted Living Scope of Care

Facilities typically provide three types of assistance: help with daily living skills such as grooming and bathing, social interaction support which includes activities, transportation and legal help, and 24-hour monitoring.

In addition, some ALHs may provide residents with intermittent nursing care, hospice services and up to 45 days of skilled nursing care. Residents may also receive assistance with self-administration of medication.

Assisted Living Medicaid Policy

The two Medicaid waiver programs listed above (ALI and APDD) provide assistance with seniors residing in an assisted living facility. In a limited number of cases the state may also supply an optional Social Security supplement to residents.

Assisted Living Facility Requirements

Assisted living communities may provide single or double-occupancy units to residents. Residents who share a room are expected to have reasonable privacy, but this is not specifically defined. For every six residents, the community must provide one sink, one toilet, and one shower or bath. Residents must have storage space for their personal possessions, and the community must have adequate personal hygiene items available. Rooms must be equipped with a signal device so that residents can alert staff when they are unable to do so verbally.

Meals served at assisted living facilities must follow the Food Guide Pyramid, published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. At least three balanced meals must be served daily at regular times and at least one snack must be provided each day. Assisted living communities are encouraged to offer fresh fruits and vegetables as often as they are able. Any religious or health-related food restrictions must be considered during meal preparation, along with ethnic or cultural preferences.

Medication Management Regulations

Medication administration tasks must be delegated by a registered nurse in accordance with Alaska's nurse delegation statute and rules. For residents who self-administer medication, regular staff may at the resident's request give scheduled medication reminders, read labels to residents and check their self-administered dosage against label information, help open medication containers, observe residents as they take medication, and guide or direct the resident's hand while taking medication.

Staffing Requirements

All assisted living communities must have an administrator who oversees daily operations and care providers to meet the daily needs of residents. There is no minimum staff-to-resident ratio, so communities are responsible for determining the number of staff needed for daily operations and to execute any services outlined in care plans. All assisted living homes must have one care provider on staff who is trained in first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Staff Training Requirements

All staff members must complete an orientation that explains set emergency procedures, fire safety, rights of residents, any applicable universal precautions, rules governing resident interaction, house rules, medication management procedures, the layout of the property, and staff reporting responsibilities. Administrators must complete 18 hours of continuing education, and care providers must complete 12 hours.

Background Checks

Staff at assisted living communities are subject to extensive background checks. Individuals convicted of arson, indecent exposure, domestic violence or felonies are ineligible for employment at assisted living homes. Prior to employment, all staff members must submit a sworn statement regarding any convictions and submit to state and federal background checks. The national criminal history check is conducted by submitting fingerprints to the Alaska Department of Public Safety before hire and must be resubmitted every six years.

Requirements for Reporting Abuse

All assisted living communities within Alaska must meet the minimum standards for protecting residents from abuse, exploitation and neglect. Written policies and procedures that explain prohibited behavior are mandatory, and staff must report alleged or suspected abuse to the the Alaska Long Term Care Ombudsman Office or the Alaska Adult Protective Services. All alleged or suspected incidents must be documented, and steps must be taken to immediately remove the threat for further abuse. An investigation must be conducted and the documented results submitted to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.