Adult family homes have developed rapidly in response to the health and social needs of the aging population in community settings, especially as the aging population has increased in proportion to the general population. The growing demand for elder care with a new focus on issues affecting senior citizens, including persons with developmental disabilities, mental illness, or dementia, has prompted a growing professionalization of adult family home providers to address quality care and quality of life issues consistent with standards of accountability and regulatory safeguards for the health and safety of the residents.

Finding—Intent—2011 1st sp.s. c 3: See note following RCW 70.128.005.

Findings—Severability—Effective date—1998 c 272: See notes following RCW 18.20.230.