List of States

Overview of Small to Medium Sized Senior Homes as Licensed in the state of Ohio:

Information included from the Ohio Department of Ageing

Licensure of Adult Care Facilities and Adult Foster Homes - Also RCF Residential Care Facilities.

In Ohio, an “assisted living facility” and “residential care facility” are considered the same thing. The Ohio Department of Health defines residential care facilities as homes that provide accommodations for:

• “Seventeen or more unrelated individuals, and supervision and personal care services for at least three or more of those individuals who are dependent on the services of others by reason of age or physical or mental impairment,” or
• “Three or more unrelated individuals, supervision and personal care services for at least three of those individuals who are dependent on the services of others by reason of age or physical or mental impairment, and, to at least one of those individuals supervision of special diets or application of dressings, or provide for the administering medication to residents, to the extent authorized.”
  Assisted living facilities in Ohio vary in design and style. The range of options is meant to meet the differing consumer preferences and needs.

Adult Care Facilities (ACFs) and Adult Foster Homes (AFoHs) are residential care homes licensed by OhioMHAS for the purpose of providing accommodations, supervision and personal care services to unrelated adults. Facilities receive a two-year license to operate after complying with the statutory requirements prescribed in the Ohio Revised Code and the rules set forth in the Ohio Administrative Code. Operators must undergo a comprehensive onsite inspection of the home in which inspectors verify the safe and sanitary condition of the facility, the capability of the operator and staff to meet their responsibilities in providing supervision and personal care services and the appropriateness of the placement of each resident in the adult care setting. ACFs and AFoHs that serve residents with serious mental illness have an additional obligation by rule to have staff and managers oriented to the care and supervision needs of these residents and to require specific training on an annual basis relevant to persons with a diagnosis of mental illness residing in the facility.

A residential care facility in Ohio is licensed to provide either of the following:

• Accommodations for seventeen or more unrelated individuals and supervision and personal care services for three or more of those individuals who are dependent on the services of others by reason of age or physical or mental impairment;

• Accommodations for three or more unrelated individuals, supervision and personal care services for at least three of those individuals who are dependent on the services of others by reason of age or physical or mental impairment, and provide to at least one of those individuals, any of the skilled nursing care authorized by law.

Alternative Housing In Ohio

A variety of living options are available for older Ohioans. Alternatives include:

• Senior Apartments - Private apartments restricted to seniors offer residents the independence they desire while providing a more controlled community environment, freedom from the responsibility of property maintenance and amenities designed for older aduls. Optional services may be available for an additional fee, such as housekeeping, dining and transportation. Some properties offer federal rent subsidies for eligible low income seniors, and may have a waiting list.

• Congregate and retirement housing - Residents in these apartment facilities live independently but also receive some services such as a daily meal with other tenants. Some may be rent-subsidized (Section 8 housing).

• Residential Care and Assisted Living Facilities - Private suites or apartments offer congregate services, personal care and limited skilled care.

• Continuing Care Retirement Communities - These communities offer multiple levels of care (e.g., independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing care). Thus, residents can remain in the community, even if their needs change.

• Adult Care Facilities and Group Homes - These licensed facilities provide housing and limited personal services for three to 16 adults who typically need a high level of care but retain some level of independence.

• Nursing Homes - Licensed facilities offer residents personal care and skilled nursing care 24 hours a day. They may also provide room and board, supervision, medication, therapies, rehabilitation and other services.

Regulation of Ohio Assisted Living Facilities

Assisted living facilities in Ohio are licensed by the Ohio Department of Health. Each facility receives at least one unannounced inspection during a 9- to 15-month survey cycle. All aspects of care and services are evaluated during these inspections, based on state laws. Each residential care facility is required to display a copy of the most recent survey so that consumers may review it. Direct care staff at Ohio assisted living communities must undergo background checks, must be at least 16 years of age and have the proper training. Eight additional hours of training is mandatory each year. If therapeutic diets are offered at a facility, policies require that a dietician be on staff. At least two staff members trained in First Aid must be on call all night and an administrator must be in the building no fewer than 20 hours a week. If an assisted living home offers skilled nursing care, then it must be managed by an on-site Registered Nurse (RN).

Sources - Links:

Ohio Department Of Aging

Ohio Department Of Health