24 Miss. Code. R. § 2-25.2 - Alzheimer's Day Service Locations

A. Alzheimer's Day Service locations must meet the following minimum staffing requirements:

1. A full-time service supervisor with at least a Bachelor's degree in a mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, or social service-related field and be under the supervision of a person with a Master's degree in a mental health or intellectual/developmental disabilities- related field;

2. A full-time Activities Coordinator with a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent and at least one (1) year of experience in developing and conducting activities for the population to be served;

3. A full-time service assistant with a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent and at least one (1) year of experience in working with adults in a health care or social service setting;

4. If volunteers are utilized, people who volunteer must demonstrate willingness to work with people with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia, and they must successfully complete agency provider orientation and training. The duties of volunteers must be mutually determined by volunteers and employees. Volunteers' duties, to be performed under the supervision of an employee, can either supplement employees in established activities or provide additional services for which the volunteer has special talents.

B. In addition to General Orientation, Alzheimer's Day Service personnel must attend training specific to address the needs of people with cognitive impairment including communication techniques, redirection techniques, and activity interventions.

C. The ratio of employees to people served by the service location must be at least one (1) full-time employee per four (4) people served. The service supervisor may be included in the staffing ratio if he/she is on-site and actively engaged in the service.

D. The Alzheimer's Day Service must provide a balance of purposeful activities to meet people's interrelated needs and interests (social, intellectual, cultural, economic, emotional, physical, and spiritual). Activities may include, but are not limited to:

1. Personal interaction;

2. Individualized activities;

3. Small and large group activities;

4 Intergenerational experiences;

5. Outdoor activities, as appropriate;

6. Self-care activities; and,

7. Culturally and ethnically relevant celebrations.

E. People served by the service location should be encouraged to take part in activities, but may choose not to do so or may choose another activity.

F. People must be allowed time for rest and relaxation and to attend to personal and health care needs.

G. Activity opportunities must be available whenever the service location is in operation. Activity opportunities are defined as structured opportunities for socialization and interaction that are available in large groups, small groups or individual formats. Opportunities for socialization should be individualized to meet the preferences of the person.

H. Creative arts activities must be provided to improve or maintain physical, cognitive, and/or social functioning of people served by the service location.

I. Family education and training must be made available at least monthly to family(ies) and/or caregiver(s) of people served by the agency provider. This training must be designed to improve the well-being and functional level of the people served and/or family(ies)/caregiver(s). Provision of family education and training must be documented in the person's record. A family education log must be kept by the supervisor.

J. Opportunities for case staffing (including problem-solving as to how to respond to challenging scenarios involving people who receive services) between supervisory and all service personnel must be made on a monthly basis or more frequently if determined necessary by the service supervisor.

K. The service must provide individualized assistance with and supervision of activities of daily living in a safe and hygienic manner, with recognition of a person's dignity and right to privacy, and in a manner that encourages people's maximum level of independence.

L. The service will ensure that each person receives a minimum of one (1) mid-morning snack, one (1) nutritious noon meal, and one (1) mid-afternoon snack, as well as adequate liquids throughout the day.

M. Each Alzheimer's Day Services location must adhere to the following:

1. Must have its own separate, identifiable space for all activities conducted during operational hours. The Alzheimer's Day Service must provide at least fifty (50) square feet of service space for multipurpose use for people served in the service location.

2. A single service location may serve no more than twenty (20) people at a time.

3. The facility must be flexible and adaptable to accommodate variations of activities (group and/or individual) and services and to protect the privacy of people receiving services.

4. Identified space for people and/or family(ies)/caregiver(s) to have private discussions with employees must be available.

5. Restrooms must be located as near the activity area(s) as possible.

6. A rest area for people served in the service location must be available. This area must have a minimum of one (1) reclining chair per six (6) people served in the service location.

7. An operable electronic security system that has the capacity to monitor unauthorized entrance or egress, or other movement through the entrance/exits must be utilized.

8. Outside space that is used for outdoor activities must be safe, accessible to indoor areas, and accessible to people with disabilities and shall include the following:

(a) Secure, exterior pathway(s), a minimum of four (4) feet in width;

(b) Adequate outside seating; and,

(c) Exterior fencing, a minimum of six (6) feet in height, which encloses the outside area(s) where pathways and seating for people served by the service location are provided.

Notes

24 Miss. Code. R. § 2-25.2

Section 41-4-7 of the Mississippi Code, 1972, as Amended

Amended 7/1/2016 Amended 9/1/2020