W. Va. Code R. § 64-85-10 - Physical Environment

10.1. The alzheimer's/dementia special care unit and alzheimer's/dementia special care program site shall be designed to accommodate residents with dementia in a non-institutional home-like environment. The design and environment shall assist residents in their activities of daily living; enhance their quality of life, reduce tension, agitation, and problem behaviors, and promote their safety.

10.2. In addition to the physical design standards required for the facility's license, an alzheimer's/dementia special care unit and program site shall have the following:

10.2.a. A floor plan design with limited access to the designated area so that visitors and staff do not pass through the unit to get to other areas of the facility;

10.2.b. A multipurpose room for dining, group and individual activities and family visits which complies with the facility's applicable licensing requirements for common space;

10.2.c. Security measures to provide for the safety of wandering residents that are as unobtrusive as possible;

10.2.d. High visual contrasts between floors and walls, and doorways and walls in resident use areas. Except for fire exits, door and access ways may be designed to minimize contrast to obscure or conceal areas the residents should not enter;

10.2.e. Non-reflective floors, walls and ceilings which minimize glare;

10.2.f. Evenly distributed lighting which minimizes glare and shadows and is designed to meet specific needs of the residents;

10.2.g. A monitoring or nurses' station, which includes a communication system such as a telephone or two-way voice actuated call system to the main staff station of the facility, and space for charting and storage for resident records; and

10.2.h. Secured outdoor space and walkways which allow residents to ambulate but prevent undetected egress.

10.2.h.1. Outdoor areas shall have fencing or barriers that prevent elopement and do not have features that pose a threat to resident safety.

10.2.h.2. Walkways shall meet the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) structural building codes.

10.3. The alzheimer's/dementia special care unit and alzheimer's/dementia special care program (as applicable) shall:

10.3.a. Provide freedom of movement for the residents to common areas, and to their personal spaces, and shall not lock residents out of or inside their rooms;

10.3.b. Provide plates and eating utensils which provide visual contrast between them and the table and that maximize the independence of the individual residents;

10.3.c. Provide comfortable chairs, in the common use area, including chairs that allow for gently rocking or gliding;

10.3.d. Encourage and assist residents to decorate and furnish their rooms in accordance with their personal preferences;

10.3.e. Individually identify resident's rooms to assist residents in recognizing their room based on each resident's cognitive level;

10.3.f. Keep corridors and common use areas free of objects which may cause falls;

10.3.g. Be free of toxic plants; and

10.3.h. Only use public address systems in the unit (if one exists) for emergencies

10.4. The alzheimer's/dementia special care unit or program shall develop policies and procedures to deal with residents who may wander so as to prevent egress and shall include actions to be taken in case a resident elopes.

10.5. If locking devices are used on exit doors, the locking devices shall be electronic and release when the following occurs:

10.5.a. The fire alarm or sprinkler system is activated;

10.5.b. Power to the facility fails; and

10.5.c. A key button or key pad located at the exits for routine use by staff for service is passed.

10.6. If key pads are used to lock and unlock exits:

10.6.a. Directions for their operations shall be posted on the outside of the door to allow individuals access to the unit; and

10.6.b. Staff shall be trained in the methods of releasing the locking device.

10.7. All locking devices and keypad locks shall meet all applicable fire safety requirements.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 64-85-10