MA Proposes Stricter Rules for Assisted Living

Massachusetts is introducing comprehensive new regulations for assisted living facilities, prompted by a critical fire incident at Gabriel House. The proposed changes aim to bolster fire safety, enhance the delivery of medical services, and increase oversight of facility management. These measures follow preliminary findings that the fire may have been caused by improper smoking near an oxygen device.

The state's proposals mandate annual fire inspections and comprehensive employee training on emergency procedures. Facilities will also need clearly marked exits, monthly checks of emergency lights, and strict protocols for storing and signaling oxygen tanks. Regular fire drills and evacuation tests are to be conducted quarterly and annually, with detailed documentation of response times.

Assisted living residences, increasingly caring for residents with complex medical needs, will require detailed safety plans documenting how each resident's needs are met. Service plans for all residents will need to outline physical, cognitive, psychological, and social requirements. Special care units, including those for dementia patients, will have updated emergency assistance protocols and more frequent reviews of service plans, especially for residents receiving basic health services.

Advocates express concern that the proposed regulations, developed by an Assisted Living Residence Commission, may not go far enough to guarantee safe care. They emphasize the need for increased funding to ensure compliance and effective oversight. Additional regulations from the Attorney General are expected to protect residents from misleading business practices like predatory fees and evictions.