Resources
Compliance Glossary
46 terms used in California RCFE regulations, defined in plain English.
A
- Administrator§ 87101(a)(1)
- The individual designated by the licensee to manage the overall operation of the facility. May be the same person as the licensee.
- Admission Agreement§ 87101(a)(2)
- All documents that a resident or resident's representative must sign at the time of, or as a condition of, admission to the facility.
- Allowable Health Condition§ 87101(a)(6)
- Any health condition that the licensee is allowed to care for in accordance with a specific regulation or with an exception approved by the licensing agency.
- Ambulatory Person§ 87101(a)(7)
- A person capable of demonstrating the mental competence and physical ability to leave a building without assistance of any other person or mechanical aid in case of emergency.
- Appropriately Skilled Professional§ 87101(a)(10)
- An individual trained and licensed to perform necessary medical procedures prescribed by a physician, including RN, LVN, PT, OT, and RT.
B
- Basic Rate§ 87101(b)(1)
- The SSI/SSP established rate, which does not include the amount allocated for the recipient's personal and incidental needs.
- Basic Services§ 87101(b)(2)
- Services required to obtain and maintain a license: safe accommodations, personal assistance, observation, planned activities, food service, and arrangements for medical/dental care.
- Behavioral Expression§ 87101(b)(3)
- Behavior that may result in harm to self or others, including unsafe wandering, elopement, expressions of frustration, disorientation, or hallucinations.
C
- Capacity§ 87101(c)(2)
- The maximum number of persons authorized to be provided services at any one time in any licensed facility.
- Care and Supervision§ 1569.2 HSC
- Assistance with activities of daily living, helping residents access community services, monitoring activities, and ensuring general health, safety, and well-being.
- CCLD§ N/A
- Community Care Licensing Division of the California Department of Social Services. The state agency responsible for licensing and overseeing RCFEs.
- Centrally Stored Medication§ 87465
- Medications that are stored in a locked, central area of the facility rather than in the resident's room, typically under the control of designated staff.
- Civil Penalty§ 87761
- A monetary fine imposed by the licensing agency for violations of regulations. Amounts vary based on severity and whether the violation is a first offense.
- Continuing Education (CE)§ 87407
- Ongoing training hours required for RCFE administrator certificate renewal. 40 hours required every 2 years.
- Controlled Substance§ 87465
- A drug or chemical regulated under the federal Controlled Substances Act, requiring special handling, storage, and documentation in RCFEs.
D
- Dementia Care§ 87705
- Specialized care for persons with major neurocognitive disorders, with specific training requirements if the facility advertises dementia special care.
- DSS§ N/A
- California Department of Social Services, the parent agency of CCLD that oversees all community care licensing in the state.
E
- Elopement§ 87101(e)
- When a resident who requires supervised care leaves the facility without the knowledge of staff, posing a safety risk to themselves.
- Emergency Disaster Plan§ 87212
- A written facility plan addressing procedures for fire, flood, earthquake, and other emergencies, including evacuation routes and staff responsibilities.
- Evaluation Visit§ 87756
- An unannounced visit by the licensing agency to evaluate the facility's compliance with regulations and the quality of care provided.
F
- Functional Capabilities§ 87459
- A resident's abilities related to activities of daily living, mobility, communication, and cognitive function as documented in their assessment.
H
- Hospice Care Waiver§ 87632
- An approval that allows a terminally ill resident receiving hospice care to remain in the RCFE with certain health condition restrictions waived.
I
- Incidental Medical Services§ 87465
- Basic medical and dental care services that the facility arranges for residents, including assistance with medications and coordination with healthcare providers.
- Initial Certification§ 87406
- The required training program for new RCFE administrators, covering at least 80 hours of instruction in relevant topics.
L
- Licensee§ 87101(l)
- The individual, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity that holds the license to operate a residential care facility for the elderly.
M
- Major Neurocognitive Disorder (Major NCD)§ 87101(m)
- A medical condition (formerly called dementia) characterized by significant cognitive decline that interferes with independence in everyday activities.
- MAR (Medication Administration Record)§ 87465
- Documentation of all medications administered to a resident, including drug name, dosage, route, time, and the staff member who administered it.
N
- Nonambulatory Person§ 87101(n)
- A person who is unable to leave a building unassisted under emergency conditions, including persons who depend on mechanical aids such as wheelchairs.
P
- Personal Rights§ 87468
- Fundamental rights guaranteed to all RCFE residents, including privacy, dignity, freedom from abuse, the right to visitors, and access to personal possessions.
- Plan of Operation§ 87208
- A written document maintained by the licensee describing the facility's operational structure, services, staffing plan, and emergency procedures.
- POC (Plan of Correction)§ 87759
- A written plan submitted by the facility to the licensing agency describing how cited deficiencies will be corrected and the timeline for correction.
- Pre-Admission Appraisal§ 87457
- An evaluation completed before or within 30 days of admission to determine whether the facility can meet the prospective resident's needs.
- PRN Medication§ 87465
- Medication prescribed to be taken 'as needed' (pro re nata) for specific symptoms, requiring documented physician orders including parameters for use.
- Prohibited Health Condition§ 87615
- A health condition that cannot be cared for in an RCFE, including conditions requiring 24-hour skilled nursing care (with some hospice exceptions).
R
- Reappraisal§ 87463
- A reassessment of a resident's needs and the facility's ability to meet them, required at least annually or when the resident's condition significantly changes.
- Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE)§ 1569.2 HSC
- A housing arrangement chosen voluntarily by persons 60+ or their authorized representative, providing care and supervision and varying levels of personal assistance.
- Restricted Health Condition§ 87612
- A health condition that may be cared for in an RCFE only under specific regulatory conditions and with appropriate staff training and capabilities.
S
- Serious Deficiency§ 87758
- A violation that presents an immediate or substantial danger to the health, safety, or well-being of residents, requiring immediate corrective action.
- Special Permit§ 87616
- A permit issued by CCLD allowing an RCFE to accept or retain residents with specific health conditions that would otherwise be beyond the facility's scope.
- SSI/SSP§ 87101(b)(1)
- Supplemental Security Income / State Supplementary Payment. Federal and state programs providing income assistance to eligible elderly and disabled persons.
- Suspension of New Admissions§ 87764
- An enforcement action prohibiting a facility from accepting new residents until cited deficiencies are corrected.
T
- Title 22§ N/A
- The section of the California Code of Regulations covering social security, including Division 6 which contains licensing standards for community care facilities.
- Type A Citation§ 87761
- A citation for a violation that the licensing agency determines presents an immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of residents. Carries higher penalties.
- Type B Citation§ 87761
- A citation for a violation that does not present an immediate risk but is not in compliance with regulatory requirements. Carries lower penalties than Type A.
U
- Unsafe Wandering§ 87101(u)
- Movement by a resident within or outside the facility that, due to cognitive impairment, places the resident at risk of harm.
- Unusual Incident§ 87211
- Any event significantly different from the facility's normal routine that must be reported to CCLD, including injuries, deaths, abuse allegations, and elopements.