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California RCFE Regulation Changes 2025: What to Know

Picture of Nicole Shelton   Nicole Shelton  ·  3 minute read
California RCFE Regulation Changes 2025: What to Know

On December 5, 2024, the Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) Adult and Senior Care Program hosted an informational call to discuss updates to dementia care and miscellaneous regulation changes for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE). These changes took effect on January 1, 2025. Ahead of the call, CCLD sent an email to licensees outlining the upcoming updates, which aim to modernize regulations and support person-centered care. Here’s a breakdown of the key points and their implications for providers.

Modernizing Regulations for Dementia Care

The updated regulations integrate dementia care standards into various operational areas, moving away from housing them in a single section. This shift supports aging in place for residents in the least restrictive environment possible.

Key Updates Include:

  1. Integrated Standards: Regulations are modernized so that the standards for dementia care, previously housed in one regulatory section, are integrated into several sections to support care for all residents.

  2. Focus on Resident Behaviors: Regulations now address resident behaviors, regardless of diagnosis, with a focus on individual needs and behavioral expressions.

  3. Modernized Language: Definitions that support the regulations are modernized to align with terms used by experts in dementia care and use neutral, objective language to describe a condition rather than language that implies potential inability or negative effects of the condition.

  4. Access to Items Based on Individual Need: A key part of these changes is that all residents, regardless of diagnosis, may or may not be allowed access to specified items (e.g., cleaning solutions or sharp objects) based on their individual needs and appraisal.

Miscellaneous Changes at a Glance

  1. Medical Assessments: Now required to be signed by a licensed medical professional and include details on behavioral expressions.

  2. Waste Containers: These containers must be emptied in a timely manner, rather than being emptied at least once per week or more often if necessary and removing the requirement to have tight-fitting covers.

  3. Slip-Resistant Mats, Strips or Flooring: The term "nonskid" is replaced with "slip-resistant," and such mats, strips or flooring must be used in all bathtub and shower floors. The mats, strips or flooring must be maintained in good condition and retain its slip-resistant properties.

  4. Firearms: If licensees permit residents to retain firearms at the facility, firearms must be stored in compliance with Health and Safety Code section 1569.282. Also, admission agreements must specify all policies concerning the retention or prohibition of firearms by residents of the facility.

  5. Bedridden: Requirements related to residents are updated to correct a reference, use person first, condition second (e.g., person who is bedridden) language, and make other non-substantive clarifying changes.

Insights from the Informational Call

The Q&A session allowed providers to seek clarity on the regulatory updates. Here are some frequently discussed topics:

LIC 602A - Physician’s Report for RCFE

  • This is provided by the department as a courtesy and is not required to be used. Another form may be used but it must cover the required information in addition to updated regulations.

  • A Medical Assessment is still required. The LIC 602A has been helpful to meet the need of the Medical Assessment and it will be updated by the department to reflect updated regulations.

Other LIC Forms

  • Additional courtesy forms are under review for future updates.

Care Tools for RCFE

  • Compliance and Regulatory Enforcement (CARE) tools will be revised to align with the new regulations.

Defining "Significant Change in Condition"

  • A significant change is defined as a noticeable improvement or deterioration in a resident’s physical, cognitive, behavioral, or functional condition, warranting a change in services.

  • Further details are available in section 87463 Reappraisals.

Resources and Next Steps

CCLD has developed several resources to help providers adapt to the changes, including:

If you're a new or existing RCFE operator, and you're looking for software to help you comply with new RCFE regulations, please don't hesitate to reach out to ECP at sales@ecp123.com or to request a demo here.

For current ECP customers, please be on the lookout for communication from ECP regarding compliance items/needs. Please reach out to support@ecp123.com with any questions.

Note - The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. ECP makes no warranties as to the accuracy of this content and does not commit to updating it as regulations change. Readers of this website should contact their attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal or compliance matter. 

 

 

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