Standards of Care for Adult Foster Care Homes in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) and Bureau of Child and Adult Licensing (BCAL) regulates licensing and monitors the standards of care for licensed adult foster care homes. Any facility offering room and board to 21 or more unrelated persons aged 60 or older is required to comply with BCAL requirements.

Personal Care

• Adult foster care home licensees are required to provide assistance with personal hygiene, grooming and medication maintenance. Assisting residents in developing personal and social skills required to live in the least restrictive environment possible is key for a high standard of care.

Supervision

• Under the BCAL, supervision is defined as offering daily reminders and giving assistance in keeping appointments, which may be social, religious or medical. Foster care licensees should always be aware of the residents whereabouts, while still allowing for freedom of movement about the facility and maintaining privacy. Careful monitoring of medicine schedules are required while remembering the residents' right to refuse treatment or medication if requested. This includes being aware of and abiding by "do not resuscitate" orders.

Protection

• The Michigan Assisted Living Association defines protection as actions taken to insure the health, safety and well being of a resident. This includes protections from humiliation, intimidation, physical harm and social, moral, financial and personal exploitation. Residents should be allowed the right to make formal complaints, file grievances and enjoy personal communications without fear of retaliation.

Supervised Personal Care

• Supervised personal care calls for additional assistance above and beyond basic supervision. Help with eating, toileting, grooming and transportation are additional standards of care. According to the Michigan Department of Human Services, guidance in these areas can come in the form of cuing, prompting or reminding and require the treating the resident with dignity and respect.