AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

November 28, 2003

ADSA: AFH #2003-020
PROVIDING RESIDENTS WITH INFORMATION ON LEGAL RIGHTS & ADVANCE DIRECTIVES

Dear Adult Family Home Provider:

This is to inform you that effective immediately, the publication, Your Legal Right to Make Decisions About Health Care & Advance Directives in Washington State , will no longer be available to order in hard copy. However, you will still be able to make copies by accessing it online at http://www.aasa.dshs.wa.gov/Library/publications/ . Scroll down until you see the title of the publication. This publication continues to be offered online in English, Cambodian, Korean, Laotian, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Regulatory Requirements :

The advance directives laws in Washington state have not changed. State law RCW 70.129.030 (1) requires the adult family home to inform the resident both orally and in writing in a language that the resident understands of his or her rights. WAC 388-76-690 (1) requires the adult family home provider or resident manager to provide or ensure that the resident, at the time of admission, has received the department's current booklet on health care rights, in the language appropriate for the resident, if available from the department. You are required by law to provide Washington state information on advance directives to new admissions, regardless of payment status. (Current residents should have already received this information when admitted to your facility.)

I encourage you to contact your RCS Field Manager or licensor if you have any questions about licensing requirements related to advance directives. If you have questions on your legal obligation to provide information regarding advance directives, please contact your legal representative.

Sincerely,

Patricia K. Lashway, Director
Residential Care Services