Congregate Living Health Facility
Understanding CLHF care in California
A clear, plain-language guide to what a Congregate Living Health Facility is, who it can serve, and how it differs from other types of care.
The basics
What is a CLHF?
A Congregate Living Health Facility (CLHF) is a residential home licensed by the California Department of Public Health. It serves a limited number of residents whose primary need is the availability of skilled nursing care on a recurring, intermittent, extended or continuous basis.
Under California law, a CLHF provides inpatient care that includes medical supervision, 24-hour skilled nursing and supportive care, pharmacy, dietary, social and recreational services, along with at least one specialized service category.
Specialized service categories
California law describes three categories. Each facility is licensed for specific categories, so not every CLHF serves every category.
- Physical disabilities. For people who are mentally alert and have physical disabilities, which may include ventilator dependence.
- Terminal or life-threatening illness. For people with a diagnosis of a terminal illness, a life-threatening illness, or both.
- Catastrophic and severe disabilities. For people with severe disabilities from trauma or non-degenerative neurological illness, for whom rehabilitation is expected to be beneficial.
How it compares
How CLHFs differ from other care settings
Compared with
Nursing homes
Skilled nursing facilities are typically larger. A CLHF is a small residential home, and California law describes its care as generally more intensive than a skilled nursing facility.
Compared with
Acute hospitals
Hospitals treat acute illness and injury. CLHF care is generally less intensive than a general acute care hospital and is designed for longer-term needs in a residential setting.
Compared with
Outpatient rehabilitation
Outpatient therapy clinics serve people who live at home and visit for appointments. A CLHF is a place where residents live and receive 24-hour nursing care.
Eligibility
Every facility, and every person, is different
Not all CLHFs offer the same services. What a specific facility can provide depends on its license, staffing, equipment and clinical capabilities.
Whether a CLHF is appropriate for a particular person is determined through an individual admission assessment, physician orders and the facility’s approved scope of services.
Alcove’s specific service categories will be confirmed through the state licensing process.
CLHF FAQ
Common questions about CLHFs
Who licenses CLHFs?
CLHFs in California are licensed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
How many people live in a CLHF?
CLHFs are small residential settings. State law limits the number of beds, so a CLHF typically serves only a handful of residents.
Is a CLHF the same as hospice?
No. Some CLHFs are licensed to serve people with terminal or life-threatening illness, but a CLHF license does not by itself make a facility a certified hospice provider.
Is a CLHF the same as assisted living?
No. Assisted living (residential care for the elderly) generally provides non-medical personal care. A CLHF provides 24-hour skilled nursing care.
How do I know if a CLHF is right for my family member?
Talk with your loved one’s physician, hospital discharge planner or case manager. A facility will also complete its own admission assessment.
Questions about whether CLHF care may fit?
Send us a general message and we will follow up as our services are confirmed.
