Residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFE) located in California adhere to quality of care and well-being (QCW) standards, according to which these facilities must provide residents with all necessary health products. In particular, these include incontinence products. In this article, we will take a closer look at the regulatory framework, the special requirements for elderly men in terms of care, and why six packs of incontinence supplies are mandatory as a standard of supply. Learn more about RСFE and order the best incontinence products.
The RCFE meaning is Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly, which gives a basic explanation of the main purpose.
RCFEs are licensed communal residential facilities that provide housing, care, and support in everyday life to people aged over 60, located mainly in California.
One of the important practices of RCFEs is encouraging the participation and support from relatives of community residents in order to improve their living conditions. Residents have direct access to all services, such as cleaning, personal care, dressing, bathing, and medication distribution. In addition, residential care facilities for the elderly can be ideal for seniors who do not require care but do not wish to live alone. The main features that distinguish residential care homes from other nursing homes are:
These facilities adhere to Quality of Care and Well-being (QCW) standards. QCW requirements for such facilities include a commitment to provide residents with all necessary supplies, including medications and incontinence supplies, to meet their health and comfort needs. Over time, residential facilities have become accustomed to the practice of stocking six-packs of incontinence supplies, i.e., sets of six different supplies. This practice has become a practical approach to ensuring regulatory compliance and uninterrupted care.
Male incontinence, which is common among older men, is not sufficiently addressed in facility preparedness strategies. That is why regulations such as Title 22 §§ 87902 and 87708 require individual care plans, skin assessments, and the constant availability of necessary supplies.
RCFE in California is regulated by strict licensing regulations outlined in Title 22 of the California Code. Let's take a look at three of the main ones that are relevant to our topic.
QсW, which stands for Quality of Care and Well-being, represents operational standards that ensure that every resident receives timely, respectful, and hygienic care. Unlike some California code regulations, QсW requires not only the availability of medical and hygiene supplies, but also staff training, documentation, and proactive inventory monitoring.
During the pandemic, almost every RCFE in California had an emergency action plan, but this is not enough. Only about 50% conducted a proactive risk assessment, indicating gaps in preparedness that QсW protocols aim to address. One of those strategies is the six-pack incontinence kits, which are part of a consistent, documented supply system. This strategy helps reduce disruptions in care and keeps readiness high during routine and emergency situations.
The conditions for starting and operating an RСFE include obtaining a license by submitting an application to the Department of Licensing of Public Care Facilities. Applicants are required to provide evidence of integrity and responsibility, as well as other mandatory requirements when applying. These other mandatory requirements include medication policies and procedures, sample menus, staff training plans, and budget plans.
The RCFE license is issued by the California Department of Social Services. Licensed facilities are regulated by strict rules and must meet state-defined standards of quality, care, and safety. They also require regular inspections by the Department of Social Services and the local fire inspector.
Assisted Living Education offers its services to help you prepare your application for an RCFE license.
Urinary incontinence develops and occurs mainly with age, and therefore, it is a common issue in residential elderly care homes. Urinary incontinence can be caused by a number of factors or conditions, such as:
Regardless of the cause and specifics of urinary incontinence, older men need special products to address this issue. These include catheters, wraps, disposable underwear, adult diapers, or other male pads that have specially designed absorbent liners or urine drainage that fit the anatomy of the male body. In California, these products are considered medically necessary and are covered by Medi-Cal for long-term use.
Continuous contact of urine with the skin is dangerous because it can cause rashes, irritation, or even serious infections. Therefore, the importance of thorough care and the use of high-quality products is indisputable. This is why the California code paragraph § 87708 that we mentioned earlier requires care facilities to regularly check the skin of each resident and change incontinence products as needed. Keeping the skin clean and dry is extremely important for overall health, and a reliable supply of appropriate incontinence products is exactly what helps to ensure this, especially for male patients with permanent needs or limited mobility.
Summarizing the above, we have demonstrated and explained why residential care facilities should have a stable supply and provision of incontinence products. Now, let us move on to a more detailed explanation of what the six-pack format is. Six-packs are sets of six specific incontinence products, each of which is assigned to each resident in need. This format makes it easier to keep track of supplies. As soon as supplies are running low, the team will be able to notice this and replenish them in time before they run out completely. Depletion of supplies is unacceptable, as it leaves residents without the necessary protection. Six-packs are exactly what is needed to comply with recommendations for quality care and well-being. The convenience of six-packs also lies in:
The quantity of six packages is not too small to run out quickly and not too large to spoil over time or take up too much space. Six-packs also provide flexibility by allowing staff to adapt to any changes in care routines. The quantity is perfectly calculated to maintain resident comfort even during unscheduled changes from delivery to delivery, even when there are delays. Having a supply on hand facilitates scheduled toilet visits, where staff help residents go to the toilet at set times to avoid unpleasant incidents. If a change is needed between scheduled times, the six-pack system ensures that the necessary supplies are available.
Purchasing incontinence supplies in packs of six is also cost-effective. Purchasing in bulk allows facilities to save money and better manage costs, whether they are paying privately or through Medi-Cal. Having a standard package size with a consistent number of units per package is also very important for accounting and documentation purposes. First and foremost, when submitting claims for reimbursement or documents such as treatment authorization requests (TARs), facilities must indicate how many products a resident uses per day or per month. Having a standard package size simplifies this process and ensures that residents receive exactly what they need without delay.
Whether you are the owner of an RСFE, a resident, or a relative of a resident, we have a special offer for you. We mentioned that elderly residents often suffer from urinary incontinence and therefore regularly need the best products for this problem.
QuickChange wraps are exactly these products, because we have developed them taking into account all needs and potential inconveniences. Wraps for urinary incontinence have already proven their effectiveness, which is confirmed by hundreds of reviews from our customers. Order a trial pack now!
In addition to residential care homes, there are other types of care facilities for the elderly that may be an alternative for you, as they also differ in their characteristics. Let's take a closer look at these alternatives to help you determine what is best for your loved ones.
Assisted living communities provide comprehensive care. They offer daily assistance with self-care, bathing, mobility, meals, and regular medication. These facilities are also a good alternative to nursing homes, as they provide all the amenities and encourage socialization among residents. Some of the distinguishing features of assisted living communities include:
The main difference between memory care communities and other care facilities is the qualified and specialized care provided to people with memory impairments, which creates a comfortable environment that can significantly improve the quality of life of your loved ones. The main features and advantages of such facilities include:
In conclusion, residential care facilities for the elderly in California are excellent nursing homes for your loved ones and, especially, for elderly men with urinary incontinence. RСFEs are controlled and monitored by many regulations. These include the California Code and QcW.
Foundation of RCFE accepted and regularly inspected by state agencies such as the Department of Licensing of Public Care Facilities and the California Department of Social Services. So many requirements and inspections ensure that residents of these facilities are in safety and comfort. If you want better care conditions than those offered in RСFE, we have also reviewed alternatives in our article.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read or seen here.