Accreditation and Licensure remain part of the benchmark to measure the reliability of a retirement community in the United State. When a community is accredited and licensed, you will have peace of mind that you are in safe hands.
However, there is a need to understand the differences between both levels of recognition. This will allow you to know communities that have obtained both in your next search. Below are the meaning and differences between both levels of recognition:
Licensure
Licensure applies to both individuals and communities. In relation to assisted living centers, individual states regulate their license and not the government. Also, there is no national website to view the licensing history of assisted living communities.
However, each state has regulations the center must follow before it is fully operating. After obtaining licenses, the licensing agency performs an onsite inspection or survey. The inspection routine happens every year and anytime there is a complaint against a community.
During the inspections, violation of the regulation is noted. This allows them to understand how a community operates and provides care to its residents. For every violation, the center must submit a correction plan explaining its response to the problem.
However, once a center fails to comply with the regulation, the state can deem it fit to revoke or suspend its license.
Lastly, there are situations where a community can operate without a license. This happens when it provides a level of care lower than a licensed assisted living center. For instance, a retirement community may not need a license if it only offers assistance with housekeeping or activities of daily living.
Accreditation
Assisted living communities can also undergo an accreditation process after meeting the licensure and certification requirements in their states. Unlike the licensure that centers must obtain before opening, this process is done after the center has begun operation.
Accredited communities are meant to showcase their ethical and strategic business practice and their influence in the community. Adherence to this standard is verified by third-party specialists who review materials and interview the residents, team members, and family members.
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
- The body is non-profit, independent, and accredits retirement communities
- It encourages improved assisted living centers by accrediting these centers and motivating them to offer effective and safe care.
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
- Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities offers accreditation for services providing community, home, and hospital-based care.
- The accreditation process includes internal and external audits, on-site surveys carried out by experts from the organization. The survey is done to ensure the community meets up with the recognized standards.
Community Health Accreditation Partner
- Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP) is also a nonprofit organization. It offers accreditation for community and home-based care organizations.
- The independent body was the first of its kind in the United State to focus on accreditation for community and home-based care organizations. The organization only accredits communities that prioritize quality health care.
Differences Between Licensure and Accreditation
The main difference between accreditation and licensure is that a community only receives accreditation after completely adhering to the state regulation. On the other hand, licensure is necessary before communities offer their services.
