To become certified and to retain certification as a
domiciliary care home, a domiciliary care home shall meet the basic standards
in this section, as determined by the AAA from a site inspection and review of
relevant documentation, in conjunction with other appropriate agencies or
organizations. Domiciliary care homes with four or more clients shall meet the
special recertification standards in §
21.30 (relating to special program
and recertification standards for domiciliary care homes with four or more
clients).
(1) The home shall be a
fixed, individual, private, noncommercial household or family
dwelling.
(2) The home shall be the
residence of the provider, the residence of the prospective provider or the
intended residence of the prospective provider, and may not have residing
within it a person who is an employe of an AAA.
(3) The building in which the home is to be
located shall meet applicable Federal, State and local statutes and regulations
pertaining to zoning, health and safety.
(4) The building in which the home is to be
located shall be in good general repair and free of hazards, such as loose or
broken window glass, loose or cracked floor coverings, and have no infestation
of insects, rodents or other vermin.
(5) If the home uses water which is obtained
from a private source, such as a well, spring or cistern, the source may not be
polluted or contaminated nor may it be situated, constructed or maintained so
that it may become polluted or contaminated or rendered injurious to health,
and the water shall be approved as meeting Commonwealth water quality
standards.
(6) The home shall have
an adequate supply of piped hot and cold water to bathroom, kitchen and laundry
equipment, and may not have hot water exceeding 130°F which would be
accessible to clients.
(7) The home
shall utilize a public sewerage system where one is available, or if a public
system is not available, sewage shall be disposed under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 73
(relating to standards for onlot sewage treatment facilities).
(8) The home may not have exposed heating
pipes, hot water pipes or radiators which have a temperature exceeding
110°F, in rooms and areas to be used by clients. If these items are located
in areas accessible to clients and have temperatures exceeding 110°F, the
radiators shall be covered with protective covers and the heating pipes with
insulation.
(9) If the home uses
woodburning or coal burning stoves, the stoves shall meet applicable local
enforcement codes and be installed using permanent connections.
(10) Stairways shall have securely fastened
handrails and nonskid surfaces, such as stairtreads, carpeting and the like.
Stair coverings shall be securely fastened.
(11) The home shall have a heating system
which has the capacity to maintain a temperature of at least 70°F without
the use of portable space heaters.
(12) The home shall have been inspected and
approved by the local fire department or other qualified agency or individual
for fire safety, and it shall meet the requirements in §
21.79 (relating to fire and safety
activities).
(13) The home shall
have available adequate artificial lighting which is restricted to electrical
lighting.
(14) The home shall have
a minimum of one operational smoke detector on each occupied floor, plus one in
the basement area.
(15) The home
shall have space which would be available for storage of the clients' personal
property, such as trunks, suitcases and seasonal clothing.
(16) Each room to be used by clients in the
home shall have at least one unobstructed exit path.
(17) The home shall have a living room or
recreational area with adequate space which would be available to clients.
These areas shall, at least in combination, be large enough to comfortably
accommodate all residents at the same time.
(18) The home shall have a dining room or
dining area which is properly equipped with items necessary for proper food
service. Items of equipment include tables, chairs and utensils for drinking,
eating, preparing and serving food and drink. These items shall be furnished in
quantities sufficient to serve all residents at the same time.
(19) The home shall have a clean kitchen with
working appliances necessary for the preparation of nutritious meals.
(20) The home shall have at least one
fully-equipped and operational indoor bathroom which is readily accessible to,
and available for use by, clients.
(21) The home shall have bedrooms which meet
the following standards:
(i) Bedrooms to be
used by clients shall be located on floor levels not more than one story above
an exit.
(ii) Bedrooms to be used
by clients shall be limited to either single or double occupancy and shall have
space which is adequate for a safe and comfortable living
environment.
(iii) Bedrooms to be
used by clients shall have adequate ventilation and at least one window with
direct outside exposure to provide unobstructed natural light.
(iv) Windows in bedrooms to be used by
clients shall have adequate covering to ensure the privacy of
clients.
