Pennsylvania Code › Title 6 - AGING › Part I - Department of Aging › Chapter 21 - DOMICILIARY CARE SERVICES FOR ADULTS › ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION, CERTIFICATION AND APPLICATION PROCESSES › Section 21.27 - Domiciliary care home certification and recertification standards

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
To become certified and to retain certification as a
					 domiciliary care home, a domiciliary care home shall meet the basic standards
					 in this section, as determined by the AAA from a site inspection and review of
					 relevant documentation, in conjunction with other appropriate agencies or
					 organizations. Domiciliary care homes with four or more clients shall meet the
					 special recertification standards in §
										21.30 (relating to special program
					 and recertification standards for domiciliary care homes with four or more
					 clients).
(1) The home shall be a
				  fixed, individual, private, noncommercial household or family
				  dwelling.
(2) The home shall be the
				  residence of the provider, the residence of the prospective provider or the
				  intended residence of the prospective provider, and may not have residing
				  within it a person who is an employe of an AAA.
(3) The building in which the home is to be
				  located shall meet applicable Federal, State and local statutes and regulations
				  pertaining to zoning, health and safety.
(4) The building in which the home is to be
				  located shall be in good general repair and free of hazards, such as loose or
				  broken window glass, loose or cracked floor coverings, and have no infestation
				  of insects, rodents or other vermin.
(5) If the home uses water which is obtained
				  from a private source, such as a well, spring or cistern, the source may not be
				  polluted or contaminated nor may it be situated, constructed or maintained so
				  that it may become polluted or contaminated or rendered injurious to health,
				  and the water shall be approved as meeting Commonwealth water quality
				  standards.
(6) The home shall have
				  an adequate supply of piped hot and cold water to bathroom, kitchen and laundry
				  equipment, and may not have hot water exceeding 130°F which would be
				  accessible to clients.
(7) The home
				  shall utilize a public sewerage system where one is available, or if a public
				  system is not available, sewage shall be disposed under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 73
				  (relating to standards for onlot sewage treatment facilities).
(8) The home may not have exposed heating
				  pipes, hot water pipes or radiators which have a temperature exceeding
				  110°F, in rooms and areas to be used by clients. If these items are located
				  in areas accessible to clients and have temperatures exceeding 110°F, the
				  radiators shall be covered with protective covers and the heating pipes with
				  insulation.
(9) If the home uses
				  woodburning or coal burning stoves, the stoves shall meet applicable local
				  enforcement codes and be installed using permanent connections.
(10) Stairways shall have securely fastened
				  handrails and nonskid surfaces, such as stairtreads, carpeting and the like.
				  Stair coverings shall be securely fastened.
(11) The home shall have a heating system
				  which has the capacity to maintain a temperature of at least 70°F without
				  the use of portable space heaters.
(12) The home shall have been inspected and
				  approved by the local fire department or other qualified agency or individual
				  for fire safety, and it shall meet the requirements in §
										21.79 (relating to fire and safety
				  activities).
(13) The home shall
				  have available adequate artificial lighting which is restricted to electrical
				  lighting.
(14) The home shall have
				  a minimum of one operational smoke detector on each occupied floor, plus one in
				  the basement area.
(15) The home
				  shall have space which would be available for storage of the clients' personal
				  property, such as trunks, suitcases and seasonal clothing.
(16) Each room to be used by clients in the
				  home shall have at least one unobstructed exit path.
(17) The home shall have a living room or
				  recreational area with adequate space which would be available to clients.
				  These areas shall, at least in combination, be large enough to comfortably
				  accommodate all residents at the same time.
(18) The home shall have a dining room or
				  dining area which is properly equipped with items necessary for proper food
				  service. Items of equipment include tables, chairs and utensils for drinking,
				  eating, preparing and serving food and drink. These items shall be furnished in
				  quantities sufficient to serve all residents at the same time.
(19) The home shall have a clean kitchen with
				  working appliances necessary for the preparation of nutritious meals.
(20) The home shall have at least one
				  fully-equipped and operational indoor bathroom which is readily accessible to,
				  and available for use by, clients.
(21) The home shall have bedrooms which meet
				  the following standards:
(i) Bedrooms to be
				  used by clients shall be located on floor levels not more than one story above
				  an exit.
(ii) Bedrooms to be used
				  by clients shall be limited to either single or double occupancy and shall have
				  space which is adequate for a safe and comfortable living
				  environment.
(iii) Bedrooms to be
				  used by clients shall have adequate ventilation and at least one window with
				  direct outside exposure to provide unobstructed natural light.
(iv) Windows in bedrooms to be used by
				  clients shall have adequate covering to ensure the privacy of
				  clients.