Massachusetts

Residential assisted living licensing rules and official state resources

Licensure term: Assisted Living Residences
Resident capacity: 4+
Staff ratios: The residence shall have sufficient staffing at all times to meet the scheduled and reasonably forseeable unscheduled resident needs as required by the residents' assessments and service plans on a 24 hour basis.
Cost of licensing: $200 Application Fee
Bedroom square footage: No more than 2 residents per bedroom ("unit")
Memory care: "Special Care Residences" Require - 4 hours of additional training per year in regards to resident's

Full requirements

Regulatory Agency: Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs
Contact Phone Number: 617-727-7750
Licensure Term(s): Assisted Living Residences
Census Requirements: 4+
Qualifications for Managers: The manager of an assisted living residence must be at least 21 years old and must have demonstrated experience in administration, supervision and management skills. The manager must also have a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in human service management, housing management, or nursing home management. The manager must be of good moral character and must never have been convicted of a felony.
Qualifications for Caregivers: All staff shall possess appropriate qualifications to perform the job functions assigned to them. No person working in a residence shall have been determined by an administrative board or court to have violated any local, state or federal statute, regulation, ordinance or other law reasonably related to the safety and well being of a resident at the assisted living residence or patient at a health care facility.
Staff Ratios: The residence shall have sufficient staffing at all times to meet the scheduled and reasonably forseeable unscheduled resident needs as required by the residents' assessments and service plans on a 24 hour basis.
Cost of Licensing: $200 Application Fee
Square Footage Requirements: No more than 2 residents per bedroom ("unit")
Bathrooms Required: In existing Assisted Living Residences, a private toilet and hand washing station is required per unit (up to 2 residents per unit) and one (1) bathing facility per three (3) residents. In Newly constructed assisted living residences, private bathrooms must be present in all units (including a shower, toilet and handwashing station)
Memory Care Requirements: "Special Care Residences" Require - 4 hours of additional training per year in regards to resident's individual needs. At least 2 hours of mandatory training per year on Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. 7 extra hours of orientation for staff working in special care residences. All special care residences shall have entry and exit doors in all common areas be secured in accordance with local state and federal laws.