Section 1100. Activities

A. Each week there shall be at least 16 hours of a variety of scheduled activities available to the residents. The 16-hour activity requirement replaces the number of hours per week specified in 22VAC40-72-520. The activities shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following categories:

1. Cognitive/mental stimulation/creative activities, e.g., discussion groups, reading, story telling, writing;

2. Physical activities (both gross and fine motor skills), e.g., exercise, dancing, gardening, cooking;

3. Productive/work activities, e.g., practicing life skills, setting the table, making decorations, folding clothes;

4. Social activities, e.g., games, music, arts and crafts;

5. Sensory activities, e.g., auditory, visual, scent and tactile stimulation;

6. Reflective/contemplative activities, e.g., meditation, reminiscing, and poetry readings;

7. Outdoor activities, weather permitting; e.g., walking outdoors, field trips; and

8. Nature/natural world activities, such as interaction with pets, making flower arrangements, watering indoor plants, and having a picnic.

B. If appropriate to meet the needs of the resident with a short attention span, there shall be multiple short activities.

C. Staff shall regularly encourage residents to participate in activities and provide guidance and assistance, as needed.

D. In addition to the required scheduled activities, there shall be unscheduled staff and resident interaction throughout the day that fosters an environment that promotes socialization opportunities for residents.

E. Residents shall be given the opportunity to be outdoors on a daily basis, weather permitting.

F. As appropriate, residents shall be encouraged to participate in supervised activities or programs outside the special care unit.

G. There shall be a designated staff person responsible for managing or coordinating the structured activities program. This staff person shall be on-site in the special care unit at least 20 hours a week, shall maintain personal interaction with the residents and familiarity with their needs and interests, and shall meet at least one of the following qualifications:

1. Be a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist or an activities professional;

2. Be eligible for certification as a therapeutic recreation specialist or an activities professional by a recognized accrediting body;

3. Have one year full-time work experience, within the last five years, in an activities program in an adult care setting;

4. Be a qualified occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant; or

5. Prior to or within six months of employment, have successfully completed 40 hours of department-approved training in adult group activities and in recognizing and assessing the activity needs of residents.

6. The required 20 hours on-site does not have to be devoted solely to managing or coordinating activities; neither is it required that the person responsible for managing or coordinating the activities program conduct the activities.

H. The facility shall obtain documentation of the qualifications as specified in subsection G of this section for the designated staff person responsible for managing or coordinating the structured activities program. The documentation shall be retained in the staff person's file. Written confirmation of department approval of training provided for in subdivision G 5 of this section shall also be retained in the staff person's file, as appropriate.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 23, Issue 06, eff. December 28, 2006.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217 and 63.2-1732 of the Code of Virginia.