Family Dept. updates rules for elder care facilities after 15 years

Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes said the new framework aims to ensure that services and operations reflect the biopsychosocial needs and overall well-being of the elderly population served in care facilities.

By THE STAR STAFF

Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes announced on Tuesday the approval of a new regulation governing the licensing and oversight of facilities that provide services to older adults. The regulation had not been updated in more than 15 years.

Roig Fuertes said the new framework aims to ensure that services and operations reflect the biopsychosocial needs and overall well-being of the elderly population served in elder care facilities.

The information comes amid what appears to be an increase in illegal care centers.

A key component of the updated regulation is the mandatory use of the Uniform System for Licensing and Monitoring of Establishments, or SULME by its acronym in Spanish, an electronic platform created to support the Family Department in monitoring facilities and issuing licenses.

“At the Family Department, we are committed to incorporating technological tools that help us improve the monitoring of these establishments for the benefit of older adults,” Roig Fuertes said. “The licensing process now includes clear and appropriate standards that facilities must meet.”

The regulation introduces requirements ensuring that physical facilities are kept in proper condition, including sanitary areas, while raising the overall quality of services. It also sets training standards for employees, who must complete specific annual trainings essential to the care of older adults. Additionally, it addresses safety measures, including access to necessary medical services and security during residents’ stay.

The new rules also strengthen protections for residents’ rights, including their ability to manage their own finances unless legally declared unable to do so. Guidelines were established to safegwuard privacy and personal property, and to guarantee equal treatment regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, condition, social status or personal characteristics.

In terms of organizational structure, the regulation requires each facility to have an operator responsible for daily administration and compliance with all applicable regulations. Operators must ensure that staff are properly trained and that staffing levels are sufficient to meet residents’ needs. They must also maintain clear, written guidelines and objectives accessible to both employees and residents to ensure informed and appropriate operation of the facilities.

The regulation further mandates that facilities develop emergency management plans, ensure physical and emotional (including mental health) safety, provide adequate and accessible medical care, and manage medication administration through trained personnel.