10A NCAC 13E .0315      HOUSEKEEPING AND FURNISHINGS

(a)  Each overnight respite services program shall:

(1)           have walls, ceilings, and floors or floor coverings kept clean, well maintained, and free of damage;

(2)           have no lingering odors;

(3)           have furniture clean and free of damage;

(4)           have a North Carolina Environmental Health Services Section approved sanitation classification at all times;

(5)           be maintained in an uncluttered, clean, and orderly condition, 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 participant use on hand at all times;

(7)           make available the following items as needed but shall not charge the participant's personal funds for the cost of these items:

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

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

(C)          bedside commodes, walkers, and wheelchairs;

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

(9)           have curtains, draperies, shades, or blinds at all windows in participant-use areas to provide for participant privacy;

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

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

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

(b)  Each bedroom shall have the following furnishings for each participant:

(1)           beds equipped with box springs and mattress, solid link springs and no‑sag innerspring, or a foam mattress. A hospital bed shall be provided as needed. A water bed may be allowed if requested by a participant and permitted by the overnight respite services program. Each bed shall have the following:

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

(B)          clean top and bottom sheets on the bed, changed at least once a week; and

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

(2)           a bedside-type table;

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

(4)           a wall or dresser mirror;

(5)           a minimum of one comfortable chair per participant, high enough from the floor for easy rising;

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

(7)           a clean towel, wash cloth, and towel bar within the bedroom or adjoining bathroom; and

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

(c)  The living room shall have living room furnishings for the comfort of participants with coverings that are cleanable.

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

(1)           tables and chairs to seat all participants eating in the dining room; and

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

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131D-6.1;

Eff. April 1, 2017.