Dear LeadingAge WA Members,

We have some updated guidance on fitness centers or gyms in long term care communities. After discussion with RCS and the Governor’s office on Monday, the use of fitness centers has been expanded to allow all residents to use the facility regardless of where it’s located on the campus as long as it’s used by assisted living or nursing home residents, and therefore subject to inspection by RCS. The justification for this guidance is that if assisted living residents use the fitness center, it falls under the RCS scope and, therefore, follows the LTC Safe Start guidance and not the Governors orders for public gyms and fitness centers.

The previous guidance from RCS was to allow the fitness center to remain open to independent living residents only if it was in the same building as the assisted living or skilled nursing, and independent living residents resided under the same roof.

LeadingAge Washington was opposed to this interpretation because many LTC communities have a separate space (outside of the licensed care area) or a separate building for fitness centers yet still allow assisted living or nursing home residents to access it. We believe having these amenities remain open is essential for the health and well-being of residents, particularly as we head into more inclement weather.

RCS will be adding this clarification to the updated LTC safe start program. The guidance for fitness centers is expected to fall under the same category as activities. RCS will also be releasing this information in an upcoming Dear Provider letter.

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Alyssa Odegaard- Vice President, Public Policy 

c: 206.948.2279