Maryland Health - General Section 20-109

      (a)      In this section, "Alzheimer's special care unit or program" means a secured or segregated special unit or program specifically designed for individuals with a probable or confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder.

      (b)      An assisted living program that provides care for or offers to provide care for persons with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder by means of an Alzheimer's special care unit or program, shall disclose how the form of care and treatment provided by the Alzheimer's special care unit or program is specifically designed for the specialized care of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder.

      (c)      At the time of licensure or license renewal, an assisted living program with an Alzheimer's special care unit or program shall send to the Department a written description of the special care unit or program.

      (d)      An assisted living program with an Alzheimer's special care unit or program shall disclose the written description of the special care unit to:

            (1)      Any person on request; and

            (2)      The family or party responsible for any resident prior to admission of the resident to the Alzheimer's special care unit or program.

      (e)      The description of the Alzheimer's special care unit or program shall include:

            (1)      A statement of philosophy or mission;

            (2)      Staff training and staff job titles;

            (3)      Admission procedures including screening criteria;

            (4)      Assessment and care planning protocol;

            (5)      Staffing patterns;

            (6)      A description of the physical environment and any unique design features appropriate to support the functioning of cognitively impaired individuals;

            (7)      A description of activities including frequency and type;

            (8)      Charges to residents for services provided by the Alzheimer's special care unit or program;

            (9)      Discharge procedures;

            (10)      Any services, training, or other procedures that are over and above those that are provided in the existing assisted living program; and

            (11)      Any other information that the Department may require.

      (f)      The Department, in consultation with the Alzheimer's Association, the Health Facilities Association of Maryland, and Lifespan, may adopt regulations that govern the submission of disclosure materials to the Department and to consumers.