10A NCAC 13F .0306       HOUSEKEEPING AND FURNISHINGS

(a) Adult care homes shall:

(1)           have walls, ceilings, and floors or floor coverings kept clean and in good repair;

(2)           have no chronic unpleasant odors;

(3)           have furniture clean and in good repair;

(4)           have a North Carolina Division of Environmental Health approved sanitation classification at all times in facilities with 12 beds or less and North Carolina Division of Environmental Health sanitation scores of 85 or above at all times in facilities with 13 beds or more;

(5)           be maintained in an uncluttered, clean and orderly manner, free of all obstructions and hazards;

(6)           have a supply of bath soap, clean towels, washcloths, sheets, pillow cases, blankets, and additional coverings adequate for resident use on hand at all times;

(7)           make available the following items as needed through any means other than charge to the personal funds of recipients of State-County Special Assistance:

(A)          protective sheets and clean, absorbent, soft and smooth pads;

(B)          bedpans, urinals, hot water bottles, and ice caps; and

(C)          bedside commodes, walkers, and wheelchairs;

(8)           have television and radio, each in good working order;

(9)           have curtains, draperies or blinds at windows in resident use areas to provide for resident privacy;

(10)         have recreational equipment, supplies for games, books, magazines and a current newspaper available for residents;

(11)         have a clock that has numbers at least 1½ inches tall in an area commonly used by the residents; and

(12)         have at least one telephone that does not depend on electricity or cellular service to operate.

(b) Each bedroom shall have the following furnishings in good repair and clean for each resident:

(1)           A bed equipped with box springs and mattress or solid link springs and no-sag innerspring or foam mattress.  Hospital bed appropriately equipped shall be arranged for as needed.  A water bed is allowed if requested by a resident and permitted by the home.  Each bed shall have the following:

(A)          at least one pillow with clean pillow case;

(B)          clean top and bottom sheets on the bed, with bed changed as often as necessary but at least once a week; and

(C)          clean bedspread and other clean coverings as needed;

(2)           a bedside type table;

(3)           chest of drawers or bureau when not provided as built-ins, or a double chest of drawers or double dresser for two residents;

(4)           a wall or dresser mirror that can be used by each resident;

(5)           a minimum of one comfortable chair (rocker or straight, arm or without arms, as preferred by resident), high enough from floor for easy rising;

(6)           additional chairs available, as needed, for use by visitors;

(7)           individual clean towel, wash cloth and towel bar in the bedroom or an adjoining bathroom; and

(8)           a light overhead of bed with a switch within reach of person lying on bed; or a lamp.  The light shall provide a minimum of 30 foot-candle power of illumination for reading.

(c)  The living room shall have functional living room furnishings for the comfort of aged and disabled persons, with coverings that are easily cleanable.

(d) The dining room shall have the following furnishings:

(1)           small tables serving from two to eight persons and chairs to seat all residents eating in the dining room; tables and chairs equal to the resident capacity of the home shall be on the premises; and

(2)           chairs that are sturdy, without rollers unless retractable or on front legs only, non-folding and designed to minimize tilting.

(e)  This Rule shall apply to new and existing facilities.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131D-2.16; 143B-165;

Eff. January 1, 1977;

Readopted Eff. October 31, 1977;

Amended Eff. April 1, 1987; April 1, 1984;

Temporary Amendment Eff. September 1, 2003.

Amended Eff. June 1, 2004;

Recodified from Rule .0304 Eff. July 1, 2004;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 2004;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2005.