Gov. Christine Gregoire signed legislation Wednesday that tightens up the legal definition of an assisted living center and makes the term “boarding home” defunct.
Effective June 7, House Bill 2056 creates a legal definition of an assisted living center, the term that will now be used instead of boarding home for the 542 licensed facilities in the state that meet the description.
The most significant effect for consumers is that adult family homes won’t be allowed to refer themselves as assisted living centers. The interchangeable use of the two terms had caused confusion among consumers, said Lauri St. Ours, government affairs director at the Washington Health Care Association. The difference between the two facilities is distinct.
Boarding homes, now assisted living centers, are defined as facilities with seven or more congregate senior apartments where residents receive care and services, St. Ours said. Services include housekeeping, meals, snacks, laundry, organized activities, health support services and intermittent nursing services, she said.
