N.J. Admin. Code § 8:85-2.5

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 9, May 6, 2024

Section 8:85-2.5 - Resident activities

(a) An ongoing resident activities program shall be established as an adjunct to the treatment program and an integral component of the interdisciplinary plan of care. The program shall be a planned schedule of appropriate social, physical, spiritual, psychological, leisure, cognitive, vocational and educational activities designed to meet the needs, interests, and behaviors of all residents, whether ambulatory, chair bound, or bedfast. In a facility providing care to children, activities programming shall be geared to the child's developmental and behavioral needs.

(b) Activities shall enable the residents to maintain a sense of usefulness and self-respect, and when possible, help to prevent regression. Activities shall encourage development or restoration to self-care and resumption of normal activities, stimulate and maximize the total functional ability of the resident and assist the resident to integrate into the social life of the facility. Families and friends of the resident shall be encouraged to accompany the resident to activities.

(c) Outside community resources, such as the Commission for the Blind, Office of Education, Divisions of Developmental Disabilities and Vocational Rehabilitation shall be accessed to develop needs-specific activities. Community outreach shall be done to encourage community groups to participate in programs in the facility. Residents also shall be encouraged to participate in programs in the community.

(d) Resident activities staffing requirements are as follows:

1. The resident activities director shall meet the qualifications required by N.J.A.C. 8:39-7, Mandatory Patient Activities. In a facility providing care exclusively to children, the resident activities director who does not possess a baccalaureate degree shall have one year of the required three years of experience in a recreational program for children;

2. The facility shall appoint a resident activities director who shall provide resident activity services in the facility on an average of 45 minutes per week per resident. Additional resident activity staff time shall be provided at a ratio of no less than 1:53 residents; and

3. The use of volunteers should be encouraged as adjuncts to staff. Volunteers should be trained and supervised in the performance of their duties by qualified staff.

(e) Scheduling requirements are as follows:

1. A monthly schedule of activities in large print shall be conspicuously posted so that residents and staff are aware of daily programs;

2. There shall be a diversity of activities seven days per week and during at least two evenings per week. Evening activities shall be scheduled after the evening meal; and

3. The Residents' Council shall have the opportunity to meet at least monthly. All residents shall be given the opportunity to have input into programming.

(f) Space and equipment requirements are as follows:

1. Sufficient space shall be provided for group activities and for each resident's individual use. Activity areas shall be accessible to all residents. Programs shall be provided on the resident units as well as general activity areas;

2. Community social and recreational facilities shall be utilized for those able to do so. Transportation shall be provided to and from destinations in the community;

3. Adequate indoor and outdoor recreational areas shall be provided with sufficient equipment and materials available to support ongoing programs as well as self-directed activities; and

4. In a facility providing care to children, a safe, handicapped accessible outdoor play area shall be provided.

(g) Resident planning requirements are as follows:

1. Activities staff shall be integral members of the interdisciplinary team and shall participate in all resident care conferences and quarterly reviews. Resident activities staff shall have input into the assessment;

2. Activities staff shall conduct an initial assessment of activity needs within 14 days after the date of admission. The assessment shall include the resident's current functioning, past lifestyle, interests, skills, employment, hobbies, organizational memberships and religious preferences. This information shall form the basis for the activities component of the MDS;

3. The activities staff shall be aware of each resident's physical and medical limitations and restrictions, so that activities participation is coordinated with the treatment plan;

4. A plan for the resident's activities program shall be formulated, with the active participation of the resident, if possible. Resident goals shall be developed as an outcome of the MDS and in conjunction with the interdisciplinary care plan;

5. Progress towards goals shall be evaluated with the resident at least quarterly in conjunction with the interdisciplinary review of the care plan. If a resident's functional status changes, resident activity staff shall review the activity plan and make revisions of goals, if necessary;

6. Residents shall be encouraged to participate in a variety of activities. Outreach efforts to involve residents in activities programs shall be the responsibility of all staff;

7. All staff of the facility shall be trained at least yearly in the value of an activities program for overall effective resident care and shall encourage participation in activities; and

8. On readmission after a period of hospitalization, an activities worker shall review the resident's functioning and shall participate in a reassessment, if a significant change has occurred.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:85-2.5

Recodified from N.J.A.C. 10:63-2.5 by R.2005 d.389, effective 1/17/2006.
See: 36 N.J.R. 4700(a), 37 N.J.R. 1185(a), 38 N.J.R. 674(a).
Amended by R.2011 d.121, effective 4/18/2011.
See: 42 N.J.R. 1793(a), 43 N.J.R. 961(c).
In (d)1, (e)1, (f)1, (f)2, (g)1, (g)3, (g)4, (g)5, (g)6 and (g)7, substituted a semicolon for a period at the end; in (d)2, (e)2, (f)3 and (g)7, substituted "; and" for a period at the end; in (g)2, deleted a comma following "organizational memberships"; and in (g)2 and (g)4, substituted "MDS" for "SRA".