Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-62-.18 - Precautions for Residents at Risk of Elopement

(1) A home which serves residents with cognitive deficits which place the residents at risk of eloping, i.e. engaging in unsafe wandering activities outside the home must do the following:

(a) Develop, train and enforce policies and procedures for staff to deal with residents who may elope from the home including what actions, as specified in rule 111-8-62-.30 are to be taken if a resident wanders away (elopes) from the home.

(b) Utilize appropriate effective safety devices, which do not impede the residents' rights to mobility and activity choice or violate fire safety standards, to protect the residents who are at risk of eloping from the premises.

1. If the safety devices include locks used on exit doors, as approved by the fire marshal having jurisdiction over the home, then the locking device shall be electronic and release whenever the following occurs: activation of the fire alarm or sprinkler system, power failure to the home or by-pass for routine use by the public and staff for service using a key button/key pad located at the exit or continuous pressure for thirty (30) seconds or less.

2. If the safety devices include the use of keypads to lock and unlock exits, then directions for operation must be posted on the outside of the door to allow individuals' access to the memory care center. However, if the center is a whole home, then directions for the operation of the locks need not be posted on the outside of the door. The center must not have entrance and exit doors that are closed with non-electronic keyed locks nor shall a door with a keyed lock be placed between a resident and the exit.

(2) A home serving residents who are at risk of eloping from the premises must retain on file at the home current pictures of residents who are at risk of eloping.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-62-.18

O.C.G.A. §§ 31-2-7, 31-2-9, 31-7-1 et seq.

Original Rule entitled "Services" adopted. F. Nov. 19, 2009; eff. Dec. 9, 2009. Amended: New Title "Requirements for Memory Care Services". F. Dec. 19, 2012; eff. Jan. 8, 2013. Amended: New Title "Precautions for Residents at Risk of Elopement." F. Aug. 24, 2021; eff. Sept. 13, 2021.