Assisted Living Dojo

[thecaretaker24]

The Future RCFE License Criteria

What’s new in the world of residential care facilities for the elderly licensing? Well, after the coronavirus just about everything is new. Our industry is rapidly changing, many will not be able to keep up. It’s important to stay up on these changes, and there is opportunity for those industry participants who can. Those who fall behind will not be in business in the next year.

What will these new changes be? Well, that’s just the thing, no one knows yet, but everyone is talking about it from the media to the California Legislature, from the nurses to the residents, and from the industry consultants to the operators. Change is coming, and it is coming fast. Are you ready for it yet?

We see in the media people asking questions; How could this have happened? Why did so many people die who were in residential care facilities? Whose fault is it? Will there be lawsuits? Why weren’t better safety measures and safety protocols in place to protect residents? Families of deceased elderly residents also want answers. Why did my family members have to die? These are tough questions indeed.

As the industry works with the State of California health professional authorities there will be new plans, procedures, and protocols put into practice. Some will become industry’s best management practices, others will become regulatory mandates, but all will become standard practice to save lives and prevent this from ever happening again.

In the near future all these new ways to prevent the spread of a virus pandemic will come into fruition, and these new concepts, ideas, and theories will be set into motion. These new ways of dealing with such a terrible problem will be reflected into the new State of California Residential Care Facility for the Elderly Licenses that are issued. These new requirements might seem onerous and difficult to comply with at first, but they will be in place for a reason; to save lives.

How long will all this take you ask? Well, it will happen sooner than later merely because we don’t know if this coronavirus has seasonal characteristics like the flu, meaning it could be back with a vengeance come fall and winter.

Authorities in California will not want to get caught flat-footed again, so you can bet that this is a top priority, especially since a large percentage of the Covid-19 deaths were those with comorbidities and over 75-years old – many of which were in residential care facilities when they got the coronavirus.

[thecaretaker24]

What Does an RCFE Provide?

In the state of California, there are special facilities designed to take care of aging individuals who may need some help with their activities of daily living or need more supervision than what a family member can offer. Trained professionals oversee and monitor the activities that occur each day, and for those interested in this line of work, there are a number of RCFE online classes that can prepare you for the field.

What Facilities are Included?

Facilities that fall under the RCFE category of care include assisted living home, retirement homes, and care homes. The level of independence will vary with each resident, but for the most part, staff members that work in these facilities help with things like cooking, bathing, overseeing medication administration, and personal grooming needs. Residents often take part in activities with each other and spend their time moving between common areas and their private rooms.

Skilled Staff on Hand

Staff at these facilities, often through RCFE online classes, are trained in elderly care concerns like dementia, slips, falls, basic nutrition, ambulatory assistance, and patient rights. The state government closely monitors and regulates the activities and security of patients within these, and local agencies support these requirements with site inspections and audits. With the right personnel in place, RCFEs are capable of providing hospice services, incontinence care, and memory and dementia care.

[thecaretaker24]

What You Need To Know Before Buying an RCFE

If you like being in charge and care about senior citizens, you may want to buy a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly, also called an RCFE. However, before you open one of these senior centers, you need to get an RCFE administrator certification. Below are more details about this certification and other items you need to know before buying an RCFE.

What Is an RCFE?

A Residential Care Facility for the Elderly is a center for individuals aged 62 and older. RCFE employees assist residents with daily activities, including housekeeping, cooking, bathing and grooming. Some RCFEs also provide incontinence treatment and ensure that residents take their medications as needed. In general, however, an RCFE does not provide medical care.

How Is an RCFE Regulated?  

California RCFEs are regulated by the Community Care Licensing Division of the state's Department of Social Services. The Department website has manuals you can read to ensure you are meeting the RCFE administrator certification requirements.

How Do You Know If an RCFE Is Right For You?

Before you buy any business, you need to make sure it is running smoothly. So make sure to look at an RCFE's finances to see if it is a viable business.

You should also visit the RCFE ahead of time. Talk to the staff members and find out if they are happy and knowledgeable. You may even want to talk to the residents to learn what they do and don’t like about the facility.

Since RCFEs are government regulated, they must face regular inspections. Research the Community Care Licensing Division's standards in advance and check to see if they are being met. You should contact the Department of Social Services and research the facility's complaints, history and deficiencies.

Operating and owning a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly can be a rewarding experience, as long as you meet the required guidelines. This means obtaining your RCFE administrator certification and renewing it every two years as required.

[thecaretaker24]

Assisted Living: The Basics

Assisted living is an attempt at redefining senior care. This is a long-term option for older adults who can live independently with a bit of help. Four aspects of facilities affect the cost: type of residence, size of apartment, types of services needed, and geographical location. An assisted living facility administrator certification qualifies a person to understand the differences, build a care facility, and maintain the community.

Residence

Different types of communities often refer to the lifestyle of the people in the facility. The range from retirement communities to independent living residences to skilled nursing facilities. How active you are and what you want your lifestyle to look like affects what residence is right for you.

Size

The size of your room inevitably affects the cost. Generally, you can choose between a studio, one-bedroom apartment, or two-bedroom apartment. Rooms may be connected or stand-alone.

Services

The required services often reflect the largest range in price. Most homes cover room and board and daily meals in the base rate. Beyond that, there may be fees for laundry, housekeeping, activities, specialized care needs, nurse check-ins, and more.

Location

Similarly to purchasing a home or renting any apartment, where you are determines a part of how much you will pay. A more desirable location will cost more than the same type of facility in a less desirable location.

Earn an assisted living facility administrator certification from Assisted Living Education to begin contributing to senior care today.

[thecaretaker24]

Pros & Cons of Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly

If you enjoy helping elderly people enjoy a higher quality of life, and if you want to be among those needy patients in their final years, you might appreciate a career working in a residential care facility for the elderly. In this line of work, you can continue to learn throughout your career by taking RCFE CEU courses. As you prepare for this work and progress in your profession, it’s also important to understand the pros and cons these facilities offer patients.

Staff on-Hand

When you work in this field, you can be part of a skilled, committed team of professionals who are available to meet the needs of elderly patients. These facilities have in-house staff members who have the training and skills to render physical, emotional and social health support to the patients. The larger the facility, the more employees will be there to assist with the residents.

Feeling of Home

Elderly patients often struggle with the lack of independence and the removal from those things familiar to them. Residential care facilities do an excellent job or re-creating the home environment and making the residents feel comfortable. You can learn how to help contribute to this environment when you take RCFE CEU courses. Residents appreciate the comfortable, quaint settings.

Lack of Some Amenities

Residential care facilities try to replicate home life, but they sometimes fall short in providing all the space and services the person once enjoyed. For example, rooms are often much smaller than the patient is accustomed to.

Difficult to get Into

You may notice working in a care facility that they are often brimming with residents, with little or no room to spare. Needy seniors may have a hard time finding a suitable facility.

As you’re taking your RCFE CEU courses at Assisted Living Education, pay attention to the some of the drawbacks and strengths of these facilities. You may even develop some ideas on how to improve the services you offer.

[thecaretaker24]

California’s Changes to Senior Citizen Laws

Over the years, standards of care for the elderly have improved dramatically thanks to additional research into their needs as well as better standards and law enforcement that protects the elderly from abuse or neglect. Even with as far as the standard of care has come, there is even more improvement on the horizon. If you are looking into your RCFE administrator certification, or if you have an elderly family member that is receiving professional care, you may want to become aware of the upcoming changes.

The changes upcoming involve amending existing local laws to establish a bill of rights for the residents at residential care facilities. The rights would include respectful treatment, privacy, medical treatment, personal care and assistance and confidentiality in terms of records and personal information. Although you would think that these rights would already be standard, they have not always been enforced before now. The bill would also require the staff people to advise the resident and their representative, at the time of admission, of the rights of the resident. They are also required to provide a written copy of the rights.

There are a lot of potential benefits that can come from these new changes, and it should be important as part of your RCFE administrator certification to become aware of them, especially since you will have to advise your staff and residents on the new changes so that everyone is on the same page. It should also be part of your job to make sure that these standards are upheld, not only because it will be law but also because it is good practice.

If you have not already, taking a refresher course or class to become aware of the other various changes should be highly recommended before the changes go into effect. This should help you implement any necessary changes and train your staff, and it may even be required as part of your RCFE administrator certification if you live in California.

[thecaretaker24]

SNF or RCFE? How To Know Which One You Need

If you have loved ones in a live-in facility or are considering placing them in one, the amount of information to sort through can be overwhelming. Moving into one of these facilities can be a huge life change, and it should be important that they get the attention they need. Two of the most common facilities are skilled nursing facilities, or SNFs, and residential care facilities for the elderly, or RCFEs. The two are very different facilities that often get confused for one another. Does your loved one need regular medical care, or an assisted living facility with staff that are educated with RCFE classes? Here are the differences between the two facilities so you can make an informed decision.

Skilled nursing facilities are required to provide a certain level of care for their residents. Their licensing and regulation requirements hold these homes to a high standard of care and living. Those living in these facilities can expect care at all hours from nurses and doctors as well as dietary and pharmaceutical services. If your family member absolutely must be admitted to a home and/or requires medical care, this facility would be chosen over an RCFE.

An RCFE can be an ideal home for an elderly individual that would like assistance with everyday tasks like housekeeping and personal care. While some facilities may have a nurse on staff, RCFEs are not ideal for individuals needing medical care. The staff members should have often taken RCFE classes to provide adequate care according to regulations.

Choosing the right facility can be a daunting task, but educating yourself on the different homes and what they have to offer can allow you to find a wonderful facility. By speaking with a doctor and researching your facility options, you should be able to choose the SNF or RCFE for your loved one. Depending on which one you choose, they should receive quality care from certified nurses or staff trained with the appropriate RCFE classes so you can feel at ease.

[thecaretaker24]

How to Become an Assisted Living Director

Some people have a natural skill at working with certain age groups of people. Not everyone has the capacity to work with children, with teens or with adults. If you have the desire and the right attributes to assist the elderly, you may do well with a career as an assisted living center director. With the right training, education and traits, and with an online CEU RCFE (continuing education for residential care facility for elderly), you could have a fulfilling, successful career.

Be Among the Elderly

One of the easiest way to become qualified to work as a director of an assisted living center is to spend time with elderly people. Start by volunteering at hospitals or other health care facilities such as senior centers. Get comfortable with being around these individuals and helping them with their needs. You should then seek entry-level positions at these places and expand your roles and levels of care and service.

Get Some Education

You’ll have tremendous advantages if you can earn a bachelor’s or even master’s degree in a health-related field. Once you’ve graduated from college, your learning shouldn’t stop. You can pursue additional knowledge and competency through online CEU for RCFE. This assisted living education will help you stay abreast on latest developments and best practices in the industry.

Get Licensed and Certified

You can’t expect to attain a position of this level without the proper credentials. In most states, you must have a license and must pass an exam before you can work as a director. This license and certification will qualify you for the challenging work you will do, and it will also help instill those with whom you work and those you serve with the assurance you have what it takes to be successful.

The online CEU for RCFE and other qualifications will help prepare you for your career in this field. Take these steps, and you can do well in this gratifying work.

[thecaretaker24]

Little Known Facts about Online Education

There are a lot of cases where an online education may be the right route for you, such as cases where you work full time and need to be able to set your own hours for school. Getting an online RCFE certification to work with assisted living companies can be a great step to take, however there are some things that a lot of people may not know about online education.

The first thing to keep in mind is that although you signed up for online courses, some of them may still have in-person requirements such as labs or to take exams. Be prepared for this in advance and find out what the requirements are for in-person attendance in order to make sure that you can attend when needed. This may narrow down your school choices, as you may not be able to attend some online schools that are based far away and require you to come to campus sometimes. For your online RCFE certification this is extremely important because some things may require hands-on learning.

Another thing to keep in mind is that not all credits transfer to physical schools. If you are going to online courses in order to supplement a degree you are getting at a physical location, you want to make sure before you invest the time and money that the credits will actually transfer and work toward the degree.

The final thing to keep in mind is that online courses require a lot of time and self-discipline. Unlike going to a scheduled class, you do the work whenever you have the time. This means that you need to be able to tell yourself when it is time to work, and you need to schedule a lot of time to do the work. Getting your online RCFE certification is a great step toward advancing your career, but make sure that you are prepared for every component before you begin.

[thecaretaker24]

RCFE Certification Program

Before you can work in a residential care facility, you need to obtain the right certification. There are a number of RCFE online training classes designed to help people obtain this certification. People can take classes on their own time in order to quickly enter a rewarding new career. All that is generally required before a person can sign up is to have a high school diploma or GED. There are many advantages to signing up for one of these courses right away.

There are numerous concepts you will learn in one of these classes. You will learn about the various laws in your state regarding residential care. You will also learn more of the technical aspects of the job, such as marketing and business administration. People learn how to deal with individuals with severe health problems, including but not limited to dementia and Alzheimer’s.

While most RCFE online training classes take place primarily over a computer screen, students will also be expected to go to a facility in-person. Hands-on training is vital in this line of work, and you will need to complete a certain number of hours to pass the course.

Once you have completed the prerequisite training, you can then take your state exam. You need to pass this test in order to receive your certification to work at a residential care facility in your state. After passing the test, you can either work at a pre-existing facility or open up your own. It is a small investment to obtain a highly rewarding career.

You should be able to browse through a company’s offerings to see if it's RCFE online training classes are right for you. A great benefit of online training classes is that you can complete them while working full-time somewhere else. You can work toward a great career at your own pace. See what these classes have to offer you.

[thecaretaker24]

How to Obtain an  RCFE License

With new regulations and changing requirements, many people in the residential care space have to become compliant with state licenses to care for the elderly. Some states mandate a RCFE license or something similar to make sure that all assisted-living patients receive adequate care. The process resembles other licensing procedures, though the information differs widely from most other tests. Assisted living education has the potential to improve the care seniors receive and make a facility more efficient.

Study

The first step towards an RCFE license is to gather all of the materials to do well on the test. Relevant study guides, notes from previous test takers or even a professional tutor can increase a person's chances for success. Reviewing the test's official guidelines might also provide some interesting insight into how to do well. It usually takes a while to commit so much information to memory, so the sooner someone starts taking the test, the more likely he or she will do well.

Register

Some tests have certain deadlines about registration that control the length of time in advance a person is permitted to register. It is a good idea to keep in mind the timeline a person is working on to have the best shot at succeeding. There may also be registration fees that a person should be aware of to ensure he or she can pay them in a timely manner. A test taker may also have to submit supporting documents, so it benefits to have all of these things in mind to make the registration process as smooth as possible.

Pass

Then, a test taker need to do his or her best to pass the test. People often get stressed from the future possibilities riding on the test results. With the proper training and preparation, a person should not be too stressed, as the test is unlikely to ask unrelated questions. Relaxing can help a person do much better on the test.

Getting an RCFE license from Assisted Living Education can be a breeze with the right planning, preparation and a calm mind.

[thecaretaker24]

Know What’s in the Bottle

        Whether you’re caring for one person or part of a team caring for hundreds, understanding their medications is one of the more intricate and technical parts of the job. There are thousands of pharmaceuticals in millions of combinations, each interacting different with the other, impacted by things such as weight, diet and time of day. A comprehensive medication training can help you gain a greater understanding for these interactions and be better prepared to care for those in your charge.

 Depending on your situation and needs there are varying levels of medication training available. There are manuals and courses that give great depth into single medications, including all possible side-effects and interactions. If you are caring for more than one person, a broader overview may make more sense. This kind of training makes more sense for those in a group home or long-term care facility.

 Medication facts such as absorption rates, drug interactions and how the body processes particular drug are all topics typically covered in medication training. These programs, as part of a complete Assisted Living Education, give you greater knowledge of sedatives, laxatives, pain-killers and antibiotics. Training helps you correctly administer and dose these drugs.

 Depending on your role and the type of training taken, medication training can cover everything from issuing prescriptions and dosages to administering medications and understanding local and regional laws pertaining to the storage and disposition of pharmaceuticals. Courses providing training materials on medications are typically available both as in-person, live coursework or online classes with interactive interfaces. Depending on your local regulations, one may be more prevalent than others.

If you are working with seniors and their medications, having a basic understanding of those medications is an invaluable tool. It allows you to be proactive in protecting their health and simplifies your job overall with fewer emergency calls as a result of mixed up medications or bad interactions.

[thecaretaker24]

Caregiver requirements in California

Are you looking for a challenging, yet rewarding career helping others? Why not consider caregiver training for a fulfilling profession as a residential care provider or home care provider? Training programs are often available online in a flexible format that can match any schedule.

Residential Providers

Since January 1, 2016, the required amount of assisted living education to work in a residential care facility is at least 40 hours. The is often called RCFE training, or Residential Care Facility Employee training. Classes can include subjects such as the aging process, hygiene, medication procedures, psychosocial needs, therapy techniques, fire safety, hospice care, cultural issues, and dementia care. Those wishing to be an administrator of a community with more than 15 residents should have basic residential training, a Care and Compliance class, an ARF administrator certification class, and then pass a state exam.

Both residential caregivers and administrators should complete 20 hours of required continuing education each year to keep their training current. ARF administrators should also complete four hours of HIV and tuberculosis training every two years.

Home Caregivers

To be a home caregiver, providers need five hours of initial caregiver training to meet the California state requirements. The training should include two hours of training on the role of a caregiver and their employment and three hours of training on safety, emergency procedures, and infections. Safety and emergency training can include first aid, but it is not a requirement.

Home caregivers should have five hours of continuing education training per year. Subjects for continuing education can include client rights, safety issues, client hygiene, home care services, and client transportation. The employer should keep records and documentation of employee training for state evaluation.

Conclusion

Working with aging adults is a thriving profession with a shortage of qualified caregivers. Anyone with a license should remain informed of changes to state regulations regarding care-giving and educational requirements. Many caregiver training courses are available online and can allow you to work at your own pace to fit any schedule.

[thecaretaker24]

Stay Certified on Your Time With Unlimited RCFE Classes

As an administrator of an assisted living facility you have to make sure your program is run smoothly, that your caregivers are supported and somehow find time to keep your certification up to date. With RCFE unlimited online classes staying certified and maintaining continuing education credits is easier than ever.

Assisted Living Education offers RCFE unlimited online classes, giving you added flexibility to complete the courses to keep your certification up to date. Instead of being limited to a short period of time concurrent to a live class, you are able to complete the online portion whenever you have free time during the year. Unlike traditional programs which may require you to restart the course from the beginning if you don’t finish by the end of the in person classes, with unlimited online courses if you have to take a break from the classes there is no need to start over.

In addition to being able to better pace yourself around a sometimes hectic work schedule, choosing RCFE unlimited online classes through Assisted Living Education allows you to renew your certificate twice without having to purchase a second round of courses. This means renewal is more efficient and can save you money. Beyond certification, these programs also count towards continuing education credits.

Finally, while traditional programs may make you wait for proof of completion, choosing an online program means you’ll have access to your certificate the moment you are done with the courses. If you lose the paper form, you can easily download a new copy anytime you have internet access, making it easy to access your credentials at any time.

Working as an administrator in assisted living is an exciting and challenging job with unique stressors. Maintaining your certification doesn’t need to be an added source of stress. With RCFE unlimited online classes you can work on your certification at your own pace.

[thecaretaker24]

Steps to Take Before Starting Your Own Assisted Living Facility

Starting your own Assisted Living Facility may seem like a great idea, but as anyone with Assisting Living Education experience can tell you, there is a lot of work that goes into making it a success. Here are some things to know before starting your RCFE License Application.

The first thing you want to do before choosing to open your own facility is to find a job working at a living facility that is already running. This will not only ensure that you know you want to go into this business, but will also give you the experience and knowledge from someone who is already doing it so that you know how to run your own business.

The next step toward filling out your RCFE License Application is to get training and get involved with other assisted living locations. You can take classes to learn more about the business, or you can use networking options that are offered by the Assisting Living Federation of America. There are many training opportunities, and finding one near you is just a website search away. Getting involved will also help you solve any problems that may come up.

The last step is to make sure you are starting with a good product. It is important to do your best to purchase a facility that is already successful instead of starting from scratch. It can be difficult for you to create a name with a new facility if you haven’t owned one before.

There are many benefits to owning your own assisted living facility, but it is not as easy to start as you may think. Luckily, there is a large community to help out. Be sure to get a lot of education and help from those with the experience in the field to help you get your RCFE License Application approved.

[thecaretaker24]

How to Choose an RCFE Class

Becoming an administrator for a residential care facility for the elderly is a rewarding career path. However, before you can get to work, you need to take all essential RCFE classes. There are a lot out there, so it may seem overwhelming. Fortunately, there are ways to narrow down your choices to get the best education possible.

The first thing you need to determine is what certifications are needed in your area. Different states have different requirements on the books about what qualifications a person needs to work with the elderly. You should ensure a program has everything you need so that you can get all your classes from a single source.

Next, you can see what kind of financial programs you qualify for to pay for the classes. There will be tuition to pay as well as costs associated with program materials. Financial aid is available for RCFE classes, so you should see what your options are before paying anything out of your own pocket.

Finally, you want to figure out how convenient it is going to be to take the necessary classes. You likely have a job you need to hold down while you are going through school, so you will need something that works for your schedule. While physical campuses are out there, there are plenty of ways to take online classes. These can work exceptionally well for working adults because you can take classes at whatever time is most convenient for you.

If you are ready for a change in your career, then you should definitely think about becoming an administrator for a residential care facility. To get started on the best footing possible, you need to do your homework about where you want to take RCFE classes. Find a system that works ideally for your lifestyle, and you will soon be on your way to a great career.