The next rule in the service plan requirements for assisted living tenants is 481-69.26(2) which requires that prior to signing the occupancy agreement and taking occupancy of an assisted living unit, a preliminary service plan must be developed. This must be completed by the health care or human service professional and be based on the pre-occupancy evaluations that were completed. Additionally, the service plan must include consultation with the tenant and any other individuals they would like to be included in their care such as family or a third party. All individuals involved in developing the service plan must sign the plan.

This rule is commonly cited during assisted living surveys and examples of non-compliance include:

• A preliminary service plan was not developed prior to occupancy.
• The service plan was not completed prior to the tenant or their representative signing the occupancy agreement.
• The service plan was not based on evaluations as the evaluations were not completed prior to occupancy or signing the occupancy agreement.

Assisted living programs should establish a systematic practice of completing evaluations, then the service plans, and finally incorporating both into the occupancy agreement prior to the tenant taking occupancy of their unit to ensure compliance.