“Maine Proposes Major Changes to Care Facility Staffing: What You Need to Know”
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services has proposed significant changes to assisted living and residential care regulations, marking the first major update in over 15 years. The proposed updates come in response to an investigation by The Maine Monitor and ProPublica, which uncovered numerous violations of resident rights, including abuse, neglect, elopements, and medication errors in the state’s largest residential care facilities.
During a recent public hearing, the department proposed doubling the number of direct care workers at residential care facilities overnight and implementing stricter staffing rules in memory care units. These proposed changes exceed the current state and federal staffing requirements for nursing homes. The department must present these proposed regulations to lawmakers by January 10 for consideration in the upcoming legislative session.
Assisted living programs in Maine cater to older adults, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and those with mental illness. The demand for these facilities has increased significantly in recent years, with at least 26 nursing homes closing in Maine over the past decade. However, current regulations have not kept pace with the growing needs of residents, according to Brenda Gallant, Maine’s long-term care ombudsman.
Under the proposed regulations, staffing ratios would be increased to one direct care worker for eight residents during the day and evening shifts, and one for 15 residents overnight in facilities with more than 10 beds. For memory care units, the requirements are even stricter, with one direct care worker for five residents during the day and evening, and one for 10 residents overnight.
While some facility representatives have expressed concerns about the financial impact of these changes, advocates argue that higher staffing levels are necessary to prevent burnout, turnover, and ensure resident safety. The proposed regulations also aim to address the issue of elopements, with requirements for assessing residents’ risk and implementing measures to prevent unauthorized departures from facilities.
Despite the opposition from some facility owners and administrators, others have testified in support of the proposed changes, emphasizing the importance of preventing neglect, improving health outcomes, and creating safe environments for residents. The final regulations are subject to public comments and potential revisions before being presented to the Legislature for approval.