Untrained aides may assist with self-administration. The state administers an HCBS waiver and a state funded program that serves beneficiaries in residential settings. The waiver amendment include assisted living services as part of a broad package of services available to people 50 years of age or older in their own or in residential settings. The amendment increases the number of slots from 135 to 1,135 in 2001 and by an additional 1,000 a year for a total of 5,135 when it must be renewed. The Level I licensing level of care does not qualify for the Medicaid waiver.
Additional payments are available for assistive equipment and environmental modifications.
Exceptions to the maximum are allowed at the discretion of the Department on Aging. The current waiver contracts with 132 facilities and serve 135 residents. Many facilities have been newly approved as a Medicaid provider and do not have any eligible residents. The law directs the Office of Aging to develop assisted living programs in conjunction with public or private, profit or non-profit entities, maximizing the use of rent and other subsidies available from federal and state sources. Staffing Programs must have staff capacity to deliver the care for which they are licensed.