This regulation requires nursing facilities to provide each resident with functional furniture appropriate to their needs and individual closet space in their bedroom, including accessible clothes racks and shelves that keep each resident's clothing separate from roommates'. Facilities must ensure residents can access their hanging clothing and personal storage independently or with assistance, and any variations from these physical environment standards must be approved in writing and reviewed at each certification cycle.
View official sourceF917 (Rev. 173, Issued: 11-22-17, Effective: 11-28-17, Implementation: 11-28-17) §483.10(i)(4) Private closet space in each resident room, as specified in §483.90 (e)(2)(iv) §483.90(e)(2) -The facility must provide each resident with-- (i) A separate bed of proper size and height for the safety and convenience of the resident; (ii) A clean, comfortable mattress; (iii) Bedding, appropriate to the weather and climate; and (iv) Functional furniture appropriate to the resident’s needs, and individual closet space in the resident’s bedroom with clothes racks and shelves accessible to the resident. §483.90(e)(3) CMS, or in the case of a nursing facility the survey agency, may permit variations in requirements specified in paragraphs (e)(1) (i) and (ii) of this section relating to rooms in individual cases when the facility demonstrates in writing that the variations (i) Are in accordance with the special needs of the residents; and (ii) Will not adversely affect residents’ health and safety. GUIDANCE: §483.90(e)(2)(i), (e)(2)(ii), (e)(2)(iii), (e)(2)(iv), §483.10(i)(4), §483.90(e)(3), (e)(3)(i), and (e)(3)(ii) “Functional furniture appropriate to the resident’s needs” means that the furniture in each resident’s room contributes to the resident attaining or maintaining his or her highest practicable level of independence and well-being. In general, furnishings include a place to put clothing away in an organized manner that will let it remain clean, free of wrinkles, and accessible to the resident while protecting it from casual access by others; a place to put personal effects such as pictures and a bedside clock, and furniture suitable for the comfort of the resident and visitors (e.g., a chair). For issues with arrangement of room furniture according to resident needs and preferences, see §483.10(e), Accommodation of Needs, Tag F558. “Clothes racks and shelves accessible to the resident” means that residents can get to and reach their hanging clothing whenever they choose. “Private closet space” means that each resident’s clothing is kept separate from clothing of roommate(s). The term “closet space” is not necessarily limited to a space installed into the wall. For some facilities without such installed closets, compliance may be attained through the use of storage furniture such as wardrobes. Out-of-season items may be stored in alternate locations outside the resident’s room. A variation must be in accordance with the special needs of the residents and must not adversely affect the health or safety of residents. Facility hardship is not part of the basis for granting a variation. Since the special needs of residents may change periodically, or different residents may be transferred into a room that has been granted a variation, variations must be reviewed and considered for renewal whenever the facility is certified. If the needs of the residents within the room have not changed since the last annual inspection, the variance should continue if the facility so desires. PROBES: §483.90(e)(2)(i), (e)(2)(ii), (e)(2)(iii), (e)(2)(iv), §483.10(i)(4), §483.90(e)(3), (e)(3)(i), and (e)(3)(ii) Are mattresses clean and comfortable? Is bedding appropriate to weather and climate? If a resident uses a wheelchair, is the bed positioned at a height that allows the resident to safely transfer to the bed if he or she is able? See requirements at §483.90(d)(3) concerning the regular inspection of all bed frames, mattresses, and bed rails to identify areas of possible entrapment. Functional furniture: Is there functional furniture, appropriate to resident’s needs? Closet space: Is there individual closet space with accessible clothes racks and shelves? If the resident is able to use a closet, can the resident get to and reach her/his hanging clothing as well as items from shelves in the closet? If a resident is unable to use a closet, does the facility provide the resident with adequate assistance for accessing their clothing, or alternative storage space that the resident is able to access? If a resident uses a wheelchair, are dressers or shelves available at a height that the resident can access them and reach them.