Understanding the ALF application process - Description of the current process. 

MD Business License Information - This is the state agency responsible for issuing business licenses in the state. If you are considering starting an assisted living facility, there may be general business requirements in addition to the DHMH/OHCQ application and related licensing. It includes information about selecting a name and how to dissolve a corporation. 

Penalties for operating unlicensed homes - Description of the 2006 changes in the criminal penalties.

The State of Maryland Office of Health Care Quality provides PDF forms to complete the first two steps of pre-admission resident assessment.

• Assisted Living Manager’s Assessment Form (4 pages)
• Health Care Practitioner Physical Assessment Form (5 pages)

The Maryland Office of Health Care Quality provides a helpful 18 page PDF  draft guide to Assisted Living Manager’s & Health Care Practitioner’s Assessments.

For information on calculating a resident’s Level of Care Score.

A report from the General Accounting Office about concerns that Assisted Living Facility (ALF) marketing materials offer different information about services and fees than the residents’ agreements. MD was not one of the states studied, however, the observations are important for all ALFs.

According to a national study, the most frequent complaints involving assisted living facilities involve medication administration, menu quality, discharge eviction planning/notice, dignity/respect of staff, and equipment/building problems. (Report to Congress. Long-Term Care Ombudsmen Report, Fiscal Year 2004. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging).

Fact sheet on a resident’s right to their own medical records from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.

Fact sheet on Individualized Assessment With Behavioral Symptoms from the National Coalition on Nursing Home Reform, a nonprofit advocacy group.

Fact sheet Physical Restraint Free Care from the National Citizen's Coalition for Nursing Home Reform.

Report Abuse - Includes the regulations, contacts, and other useful facts regarding what to do if a resident has been abused, neglected, or exploited.

Fact sheet listing the Various Types of Behaviors Consider Abuse from the National Citizen's Coalition for Nursing Home Reform.

Resident voting and voter registration -  Local boards of election are required to contact every nursing home and assisted living facility in their county. 

·         All residents must be afforded the opportunity to vote if they wish to vote.

·         Mental disability - “As long as the individual is not under a court-ordered guardianship for a mental disability, [s/he] can register to vote and… vote an absentee ballot. A doctor’s letter or certificate stating that the voter is not mentally competent is not sufficient.”. (2006 State Board of Elections, “Licensed Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facilities: Absentee Ballot & Voter Registration Procedures”, page 1.5)

NOTE for smaller assisted living facility operators: Local boards of election will visit facilities to assist residents. They are not required to visit facilities with fewer than 50 residents.

• However, they will mail voter registration forms, applications for absentee ballots and absentee ballots.
• Also forms are available and can be completed on-line. The forms can then be downloaded and signed. Contact your local board of elections for more information.

• abuse, neglect and exploitation COMAR 10.07.14.27,
• protection of a resident’s personal funds COMAR 10.07.14.28 and
• misuse of a resident’s fund COMAR 10.07.14.29

The Maryland definition of elder abuse includes physical, sexual, mental, or verbal abuse, or the use of physical or chemical restraints or involuntary seclusion.
 

Free “Quit Smoking” Help - Call the Maryland “QuitLine” at 1-800-Quit-Now or 1-800-784-8669. The QuitLine hours are 8 a.m. to midnight, 7 days a week. Calls are answered in both English and Spanish speaking representatives are available. The Smoking Stops Here website offers details on what to expect from the telephone counseling, county-based resources, an events calendar and success stories.

Materials for residents interested in quitting smoking:

• A printable brochure for residents on why older adults may wish to stop smoking from The Center for Social Gerontology
• Brochures and self-help materials as well as articles compiled by the National Institutes of Health

A county-by-county listing of Maryland resources on smoking-related issues from the National Institutes of Health

Deaths that will be investigated by the medical examiner  - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s summary of the Maryland procedure.

Maryland has several burial societies that help members save and plan for burials. Look in your local yellow pages.

Veterans burial and memorial benefits - The Veterans Administration website offers comprehensive information on the available benefits, markers and headstones, memorial flags, eligibility for burial in military cemeteries and other topics. The VA will also pay a $300 burial and funeral allowance and a $300 plot allowance for eligible veterans.

Social Security death benefit  - Anyone receiving Social Security is entitled to a burial benefit of $255. The benefit is paid only if there is a surviving spouse or surviving children under the age of 18.

Senior centers around the state offer a calendar of events and activities that might be of interest to residents aged 60 and over. In addition, many centers offer exercise programs, health screenings and wellness seminars.  Events in Maryland  from the Department on Tourism includes small bazaars and local fairs and other events.

Tips on accessible travel from Moss Rehabilitation Hospital – Includes resources and links to local information.

Maryland Historical Places and Museums - Local libraries often run interesting programs. SAILOR has a 130 page (pdf) that lists all local public libraries.

Directory of Public Libraries. You can jump to information on your local library.

Sample activities calendar from the Maryland Department of Aging in support of the Senior Legal Helpline.

Date last reviewed (no legal content): 10/15//07 (MLAN/DL/AC)