TITLE 42

State Affairs and Government

CHAPTER 42-66.3

Home and Community Care Services to the Elderly

SECTION 42-66.3-1



   § 42-66.3-1  Definitions. –

As used in this chapter:



   (1) "Adult day services program" is an agency licensed

through the department of health that provides a comprehensive supervised

program on a regular basis to physically and/or mentally handicapped adults for

a substantial part of a day in a single physical location for a specified

number of participants daily. Adult day services may include, medical

supervision, social and educational activities, snacks and/or hot lunch.



   (2) "Case management agency" means a community-based agency

designated by the department of elderly affairs to provide care coordination

for home and community care clients.



   (3) "Director" means the director of the department of

elderly affairs.



   (4) "Home and community care services" means arranging for,

or providing directly to the client, or providing through contract services

– such as home health aid/homemaker services and such other services that

may be required for a client to remain in the community and as may be

promulgated by department regulations.



   (5) "Home care agency" means an agency licensed by the

department of health as a "home nursing provider" and/or "home care provider"

under the provisions of chapter 17 of title 23.



   (6) "Long-term care ombudsperson" means the person or persons

designated by the director of the department of elderly affairs for the purpose

of advocating on behalf of recipients of long-term care services and of

receiving, investigating and resolving through mediation, negotiation and

administrative action complaints filed by recipients of long-term care

services; individuals acting on their behalf or any individual organization or

government agency that has reason to believe that a long-term care agency has

engaged in activities, practices or omissions that constitute a violation of

applicable statutes or regulations or that may have an adverse effect upon the

health, safety, welfare, rights or the quality of life of recipients of

long-term care services.



   (7) "Home health aide services" means simple health care

tasks, personal hygiene services, housekeeping tasks essential to the patient's

health, and other related supportive services. These services shall be in

accordance with a plan of treatment for the patient and shall be under the

supervision of the appropriate health care professional. These services shall

be provided by a person who meets the standards established by the department

of health.



   (8) "Homebound" means the condition of the client is such

that the client does not have the normal ability to leave home, consequently

leaving the home requires a considerable and taxing effort by the client. A

client does not have to be confined to bed to be homebound.



   (9) "Homemaker services" means assistance and instruction in

managing and maintaining a household and incidental household tasks for persons

at home because of illness, incapacity, or the absence of a caretaker relative.

These services shall be provided by a person who meets the standards

established by the department of health.



   (10) "Assisted living residences" means a publicly or

privately operated residence that is licensed pursuant to § 23-17-4 of the

general laws as amended.



   (11) "Respite care services" means temporary care given

inside or outside the home of a client who cannot entirely care for themselves

and thereby offers relief to caregivers.



   (12) "Shared living" program means a privately owned

residence in which the family provides for or arranges for the needs of the

client so that the client can remain in the community, a program that is

designed to respect the unique character of each individual, promotes

self-reliance and the freedom to make choices, and fosters dignity, autonomy

and personal safety. Services may be provided in-home or a host home residence

in which the family provides for or arranges for the needs of the client so

that the client can remain in the community including but not limited to

lodging and meals. This program is designed to provide the opportunity for the

provision of an inter-generational multidisciplinary supports to preserve and

strengthen families.



History of Section.

(P.L. 1988, ch. 451, § 2; P.L. 1995, ch. 118, § 2; P.L. 2003, ch.

140, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 147, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 100, art. 17,

§ 13.)