what license is nicessary? are centers subject to state and federal regulations?
who to contact and what to do about abuse?

Hi! Thanks for the very important question.

I will answer your question one by one.

1. What licenses are necessary?

The state of Mississippi requires the following licenses for assisted
living facilities.

“The revised rules create two levels of licensure. Services available
in Level I but not Level II facilities include special diets,
maintenance of continence through a toileting plan, and limited
nursing services for a 90-day period of rehabilitation. The
regulations contain more specific staffing ratios and allow facilities
to provide a higher level of care than the previous rules. New
provisions related to staffing ratio, training, activities, and the
environment were added that allow Level I facilities to serve people
with dementia.”

“’A Level II facility is one which accepts residents for personal care
and provides room, board, 24- hour supervision and non-medical living
assistance.’”

”’A Level I facility is one which accepts residents for personal care
and provides room, board, 24- hour supervision, medically related
services and activities of daily living as specified in these
regulations.’ The regulations do not specify a definition for
medically related services.”

The Care Scout website features state laws on such types of
facilities. In the state of Mississippi such facilities are under the
“Personal Care Homes” regulations of the Department of Health. I
suggest you read the whole article.

CareScout: Mississippi
http://www.carescout.com/resources/assisted_living/state_policies/ms.html

In case you are interested in regulations for other states CareScout
provide a list of clickable state names so you could get the
particular state law. The list is at the bottom of the page. I got the
one above by clicking on the Mississippi link.

“What are assisted living facilities?”
http://www.carescout.com/resources/assisted_living/definition.htm 

2. Are centers subject to state and federal regulations?

In lieu of the regulations mentioned above, the state of Mississippi
does indeed have regulations for assisted living facilities.

According to the FindLaw.com, there are no specific federal laws when
it comes to assisted living facilities but several federal rules apply
to these kinds of services. You can take a look at them from the
following link. Please click on the “next page” link below the article
so you will get more information.

“II. Assisted Living Facilities”
http://profs.lp.findlaw.com/longterm/longterm_5.html 

3. Who to contact and what to do about abuse?

It is best to contact the Mississippi state branch of the Department
of Health. The particular segment of the Department of Health that
shall assist you is “Personal Care Homes”.

Mississippi
Personal Care Homes
Institution for the Aged and Infirm
State Board of Health
Department of Health, Health Facilities Licensure and Certification
Division
Tel: (601) 354-7300 Fax: (601) 354-7213

Nurses Association: American Assisted Living State Agencies
http://www.alnursing.org/stateagencies.htm 

Search terms used: 
"assisted living facilities" Mississippi regulations

I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.

Thanks for visiting us.

Regards,
Easterangel-ga

Hi Covenant,

I had been working on your question:

The Division of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification is the
Mississippi regulatory agency responsible for licensing hospitals,
nursing homes, personal care homes, home health agencies, ambulatory
surgical facilities, birthing centers, abortion facilities, and
hospices. The division also certifies health care facilities for
participation in the Medicare and/or Medicaid programs. Because the
division requires health facilities to comply with state and federal
standards, the level of care being delivered is continually upgraded,
and patients/residents are protected from abuse and neglect.
http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/msdhsite/index.cfm/11,0,83,61,html

Personal Care Homes-Assisted Living Regulations
http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/msdhsite/index.cfm/11,341,83,pdf/licensurepchassist%2Epdf

Documenting Your Complaint‚ Obtaining Records
http://www.elder-abuse-information.com/report_document.htm

"An Ombudsman is an advocate for residents of nursing homes, board and
care homes, and assisted living. Ombudsmen provide information about
how to find a facility and what to do to get quality care. They are
trained to resolve problems. If you want, the ombudsman can assist you
with complaints. However, unless you give the ombudsman permission to
share your concerns, these matters are kept confidential."

"Under the federal Older Americans Act, every state is required to
have an Ombudsman Program that addresses complaints and advocates for
improvements in the long term care system. To find the ombudsman
nearest you, contact your State Ombudsman office."

Mississippi 
Anniece McLemore 
State LTC Ombudsman 
State LTC Ombudsman 
MS Dept. of Human Services, Div. of Aging 
750 North State Street 
Jackson, MS 39202 
Tel: (601)359-4927 
Fax: (601)359-9664 
website: http://www.mdhs.state.ms.us

Outside Help
http://www.elder-abuse-information.com/report_outsidehelp.htm

Hope this helps.

--Bobbie7-ga