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When clinicians are searching for the best assisted living home or center for their clients, the Department of Health Services (DHS) is a valuable resource to use. It is essential when referring patients to check DHS records to know if a home has a history of elder abuse, neglect, medication mismanagement or other care problems. By checking records, clinicians can glean necessary information about the quality of a facility and evaluate if it is the right fit for their client.

The difference between an Assisted Living Home and Assisted Living Center is that homes can provide care for up to, but not exceeding 10 residents whereas a center can provide care for 11 or more people with no maximum limit. Both provide three levels of care; supervisory, personnel or directed. Files on these homes are available for public viewing from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the DHS office, 150 N. 18^th Ave. in Phoenix. The department maintains a public file for all licensed assisted living facilities. Copies of statutes are available upon request or can be found at www.azcarecheck.com

When looking through a home’s records, the file will contain the location of the home, the owner’s license, the state of the license and a record of inspections. There will also be a list of deficiencies, citations and penalties. A penalty or enforcement is a monetary fine against an agency or entity for failure to comply with one or more Arizona Revised Statutes or Arizona Administrative Codes. A deficiency is when a facility has violated one or more specific licensure or certification regulations. It’s important to note that deficiencies range in scope and severity from isolated violations with no actual harm to residents to widespread violations that put residents in harm’s way.

“Ability reviews the DHS records of each facility we refer because it helps to ensure we only refer the highest quality assisted living centers and group homes,” said Mark Hendel, the Executive Director of Ability Senior Care. “The records can reveal hidden problems with the management and care provided by a facility that are not obvious to consumers.”

According to DHS, assisted living facilities are inspected annually, but sometimes more often if a facility adds or changes services, capacities or ownership. A survey is conducted if necessary, for the investigation of complaints alleging violations of rules or statutes. If there are deficiencies cited as a result of an on-site inspection the provider has 10 working days to submit a written plan of corrections. That plan must address for each violation: the date the correction will be made; how the deficiency was resolved; how the problem will be handled in the future and the name of the individual responsible for resolving the deficiency.

A facility’s file will also have on record complaints related to quality of life and quality of care, including residents’ rights, abuse, dietary problems, staffing and environmental concerns. Complaints are prioritized according to the severity of the grievance and risk to the resident: Priority 1: an investigation must be initiated in 2 working days; Priority 2: must be initiated within 10 working days and Priority 3: must be initiated within 45 working days. The office of Assisted Living Licensing works in conjunction with other state, local, and county agencies to ensure the health and safety or residents in assisted living.

Every day, tens of thousands of Arizona’s most vulnerable adults rely on assisted living centers and homes to look after them. The DHS is an invaluable tool for clinicians making referrals to Assisted Living facilities. Clinicians can also educate consumers on where to find this info or utilize the services of a placement agency. Contact Ability for further information at 602-867-1270.