Maine

Residential assisted living licensing rules and official state resources

Licensure term: "Residential Care Facility” means a house or other place that, for consideration, is maintained wholly or partly for the purpose of providing residents with assisted living services. Residential care wholly or partly for the purpose of providing residents with assisted living services. Residential care facilities provide housing and services to residents in private or semi-private bedrooms in buildings with common living areas and dining areas. It does not include licensed nursing homes or a supported living arrangement certified by the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services. Following are the types of residential care facilities: Falls under the classification of "Assisted Living Programs"
Resident capacity: Level I - a facility with a licensed capacity of one (1) to two (2) residents.
Staff ratios: Staffing in all licensed RCF/PNMI settings must be adequate to implement service plans and provide a safe setting. The Department may require additional staff based on residents’ needs and the facility’s size and layout.
Cost of licensing: $10 per licensed bed
Bedroom square footage: For facilities initially licensed on or after May 29, 1998, a minimum of one hundred (100) square feet of usable floor space shall be provided in a single bedroom. A minimum of eighty (80) square feet of usable floor space per person shall be provided in multiple occupancy bedrooms. There shall be no more than two (2) people in each room. Couples who are both residents of the facility have the right to share a room.
Memory care: For pre-service training, all facilities with Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care Units must provide a minimum of eight (8) hours classroom orientation and eight (8) hours of clinical orientation to all new employees assigned to the unit. The trainer(s) shall be qualified with experience and knowledge in the care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. In addition to the usual facility orientation, which shall cover such topics as resident rights, confidentiality, emergency procedures, infection control, facility philosophy related to Alzheimer’s disease/dementia care, and wandering/egress control, the eight (8) hours of classroom orientation shall include the following topics:

Full requirements

Regulatory Agency: Maine Department of Health and Human Services: Division of Licensing and Regulatory Services
Contact Phone Number: (207) 287-9300
Licensure Term(s): "Residential Care Facility” means a house or other place that, for consideration, is maintained wholly or partly for the purpose of providing residents with assisted living services. Residential care wholly or partly for the purpose of providing residents with assisted living services. Residential care facilities provide housing and services to residents in private or semi-private bedrooms in buildings with common living areas and dining areas. It does not include licensed nursing homes or a supported living arrangement certified by the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services. Following are the types of residential care facilities: Falls under the classification of "Assisted Living Programs"
Census Requirements: Level I - a facility with a licensed capacity of one (1) to two (2) residents. Level II - a facility with a licensed capacity of three (3) to six (6) residents. Level III - a facility with a licensed capacity of three (3) to (6) residents and which employs three (3) or more persons who are not owners and are not related to the owner. Level IV - a facility with a licensed capacity of more than six (6) residents.
Qualifications for Managers: 10.1 Provider’s age. The provider shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age. [Class III] 10.2 Education, experience and training. The provider shall submit satisfactory evidence regarding education, experience and training to meet the needs of the residents to be served. 10.3 Qualifications of the provider. The provider must demonstrate to the Department’s satisfaction the capacity to operate and manage the facility with regard for the best interests of residents and consistent compliance with these regulations and all relevant laws. In making this determination, the Department may consider: 10.3.1 Records of professional licensing boards or registers, any criminal record, child protective record or adult protective record relating to the provider. 10.3.2 Understanding of and compliance with resident rights. 10.3.3 Any information reasonably related to the ability to provide safe and compassionate services.
Qualifications for Caregivers: 10.6 Qualifications of other staff. Other caregivers must meet the following standards: 10.6.1 Any person who is given supervisory responsibility over residents must be a capable and dependable person at least eighteen (18) years of age, who is not a resident. Such a person, or the provider, will be available whenever a resident is in the facility. A record of the name, address and telephone number of persons who provide supervision in the absence of the provider shall be kept on file in the facility and shall be made available to the Department upon request. This person will be instructed regarding evacuation procedures for the facility. 10.6.2 Residential care staff shall attend and show evidence of successful completion of any training that the Department determines to be necessary.
Staff Ratios: Staffing in all licensed RCF/PNMI settings must be adequate to implement service plans and provide a safe setting. The Department may require additional staff based on residents’ needs and the facility’s size and layout.
Cost of Licensing: $10 per licensed bed
Square Footage Requirements: For facilities initially licensed on or after May 29, 1998, a minimum of one hundred (100) square feet of usable floor space shall be provided in a single bedroom. A minimum of eighty (80) square feet of usable floor space per person shall be provided in multiple occupancy bedrooms. There shall be no more than two (2) people in each room. Couples who are both residents of the facility have the right to share a room.
Bathrooms Required: At least one (1) flush toilet for each six (6) users shall be available.
Memory Care Requirements: For pre-service training, all facilities with Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care Units must provide a minimum of eight (8) hours classroom orientation and eight (8) hours of clinical orientation to all new employees assigned to the unit. The trainer(s) shall be qualified with experience and knowledge in the care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. In addition to the usual facility orientation, which shall cover such topics as resident rights, confidentiality, emergency procedures, infection control, facility philosophy related to Alzheimer’s disease/dementia care, and wandering/egress control, the eight (8) hours of classroom orientation shall include the following topics: 6.5.1 A general overview of Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias; 6.5.2 Communication basics; 6.5.3 Creating a therapeutic environment; 6.5.4 Activity focused care; 6.5.5 Dealing with difficult behaviors; and 6.5.6 Family issues. Dementia Facility Requirements. The unit must be designed to accommodate residents with dementia, enhance their quality of life, and promote their safety. In addition to the physical plant standards required for licensure, an Alzheimer’s/dementia care unit must have adequate space for dining, group and individual activities and family visits, and must provide freedom of movement between common areas and residents’ rooms. Residents may not be locked inside or outside their rooms. For facilities licensed after May 29, 1998, the design must include: secured outdoor space and walkways, which allow residents to ambulate but prevent undetected egress; high contrast between floors, walls, and doorways; non-reflective surfaces; and lighting to minimize glare. Facilities must also have policies and procedures to deal with wandering. Electronic locking devices may be used on exterior doors if they release in an emergency. Residents are encouraged and assisted to decorate their unit with personal items and furnishings and facilities must individually identify each resident’s room to help with recognition.