Rehabilitation leave is granted for the sole purpose of permitting a resident the opportunity to reestablish residency in a community setting.
(1) Rehabilitation leave is granted in thirty-day increments not to exceed a total of ninety days. At the conclusion of each thirty-day increment, the resident shall contact the facility and request a discharge, extend the rehabilitation leave for an additional thirty days, or make arrangements to return to the facility.
(2) To be eligible for rehabilitation leave, the resident shall comply with all of the following:
(a) Participate in counseling with social work and/or vocational rehabilitation staff and rehabilitation leave planning.
(b) Participate in counseling with family members if the resident shall be residing with family.
(c) Show proof of having established residency in the community through a rental agreement, a receipt showing prepayment for living quarters or evidence of other appropriate living arrangements.
(d) Demonstrate ability to manage financial resources and meet living expenses.
(e) Sign an agreement stipulating a payment schedule for any existing debts to the facility.
(f) Have written recommendations from the attending physician and social services staff; evaluating the potential success of the rehabilitation leave plan.
(3) A resident on rehabilitation leave may return at any time during the leave period; however immediate return shall be dependent upon the availability of a bed in the appropriate level of care. If a bed is not immediately available, the resident shall be placed at the top of the appropriate waiting list and shall be readmitted as soon as a bed is available.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.60A.070 and chapter 72.36 RCW. 94-22-050, § 484-20-117, filed 10/31/94, effective 12/1/94.]