Residential Care and Assisted Living - Agency for Healthcare ...

A searchable database includes links to each inspection report, including a description of the
citation, the date corrected, the level of harm, and a plan of correction when required. The system
uses the Automated Survey Process Environment (ASPEN) database used for handling nursing
home licensing and survey information. Complaints may be added to the system in the future.
The database allows users to search by county, city, or zip code. The results show the name,
address, city, phone number, licensure level, number of licensed beds, the administrator, and the
operator of the facility.
Montana
Approach
The Department of Health and Human Services licenses assisted living/personal care homes.
Licenses may be issued for 1, 2, or 3 years. Registered nurses conduct unannounced on-site
surveys within 120 days of the issue of a provisional license and annually, biannually, or
triennially thereafter (depending on whether the facility has been granted an extended license) or
upon receipt of a complaint. Surveyors provide guidance to operators during exit interviews or
while discussing a plan of correction. During the inspection, surveyors interview a 10 percent
sample of residents, staff, and family members using a structured questionnaire. Additional
interviews may be conducted if the surveyors find a pattern that merits further review. Surveyors
receive annual training. The content of the training is based on survey findings and trends. For
example, if deficiencies in specific areas increase, training will be held on the regulations, how
they are interpreted, and how facilities found in violation may comply with the requirements.
Communicating with Consumers
The Department of Health and Human Services Web site contains the licensing regulations, an
application packet, and other tools for operators. Other tools include the survey tool and
guidelines, a complaint survey tool and guidelines, employee and resident file review checklists,
Statement of deficiencies and plan of correction forms, menu and recipe options, links to training
resources, staff screening and hiring resources, resources for infection control and skin care, and
a list of optional forms that will assist facilities in complying with the regulations. A quarterly
newsletter has recently been instituted. A list of facilities is available on the Web site.
The Montana Senior and Long Term Care Division Web site has an icon for housing resources
that lists assisted living/personal care homes. The link leads to a description of the two types of
assisted living arrangements licensed in the State and a link to search for a provider. The search
button includes assisted living on the drop down menu. The results include the name, address,
and phone number of each facility. A consumer guide is available in a question and answer
format that describes the options (retirement home, adult foster care, personal care home A and
B, assisted living, and residential hospice care), the services that can be expected, the criteria for
admission, payment issues, and the content of an admission agreement. A checklist is also
included.
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