Violation

California Code § 87705(b)(2)Dementia Night Supervision

How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what operators do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.

Type A, seriousAffects rcfe72 facilities cited in the last 90 days

What does Type A vs Type B mean?

Type A. Serious citation. Imminent or substantial risk to residents. The regulator requires corrective action immediately and may impose a civil penalty.

Type B. Lower-severity citation. Corrective action required, no imminent risk. The regulator monitors compliance on the next visit.

Educational reference based on public CCLD inspection records. Not legal or compliance advice. Verify requirements with official sources. Full disclaimer

Regulation text

What California Code § 87705(b)(2) actually says

California Code § 87705(b)(2)

For facilities with fewer than 16 residents, ensuring there is at least one night staff person awake and on duty if any resident with dementia is determined through a pre-admission appraisal, reappraisal, or observation, to require awake night supervision. This requirement is in addition to requirements specified in Section 87415, Night Supervision.

From the field

What operators tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

59 California RCFEs received Type A citations for this violation. CCLD inspectors conduct unannounced nighttime visits, especially in small communities with dementia residents. If any resident's appraisal indicates awake night supervision is needed, an awake staff member must be on duty every single night. One missing shift can trigger a Type A citation on your public record.

By the numbers

72^*CCLD: facilities cited in the last 90 days
17^*CCLD: counties where this citation appeared
--^*CCLD: rank among most-common citations
Trajectory: Steady; Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days.

72 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.

Check a facility

What other operators do

Common practices to stay clear of Dementia Night Supervision

Common practices shared by operators. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.

Common practices

Maintain at least one awake night staff person on duty at all times when needed
Assess dementia residents for night supervision needs at admission and during reappraisals
Document the night supervision determination in each resident's file
Add awake night staffing immediately when a resident's condition changes and triggers the requirement

What to avoid

Using an on-call or sleeping staff person instead of a fully awake employee on duty
Not reassessing dementia residents whose wandering or confusion increases over time
Assuming a small six-bed facility is exempt from this staffing rule
Failing to document the clinical rationale for why night supervision is or is not needed

Regional record

Where this citation appeared in the past 90 days

Citation counts and rates by California county, drawn from CCLD inspection records.

Regional citations for Dementia Night Supervision, last 90 days
County	Citations
Marin	8
Los Angeles	7
Solano	6
Riverside	6
Sacramento	5
Contra Costa	5
Sonoma	4
Alameda	4
Fresno	3
Yolo	2

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citations2026-07-13Updated weekly

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.

What is the dementia night supervision requirement for small RCFEs?

California RCFEs with fewer than 16 residents must have at least one awake staff member on duty overnight when any resident with dementia requires awake night supervision. Title 22, Section 87705(b)(2) establishes this as a separate requirement from general night supervision rules. The determination comes from the pre-admission appraisal, reappraisal, or direct staff observation.

How common is the dementia night supervision violation in California assisted living?

According to California CCLD inspection records, 59 RCFEs were cited for violating dementia night supervision requirements. These are classified as Type A citations, reflecting the direct and immediate risk to residents who wander unsupervised at night. Marin County led with 8 citations, followed by Los Angeles with 7. A total of 71 citations were issued across 17 counties.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for lacking dementia night supervision?

Type A citations carry higher civil penalties than Type B citations and require immediate correction. CCLD will conduct a follow-up visit to verify that awake night staffing is in place. Operating without required overnight supervision puts residents with dementia at serious risk of elopement, falls, and injury. This citation appears prominently on your public inspection record.

How do I fix or prevent a dementia night supervision citation?

Review every resident's pre-admission appraisal and reappraisal for night supervision needs. If any dementia resident requires awake overnight monitoring, schedule an awake staff member for every night shift. Update staffing plans immediately when a resident's condition changes. LPAs often verify overnight staffing during unannounced inspections, including after-hours and nighttime visits.

Does a dementia night supervision citation affect my RCFE license?

Yes. Type A citations are the most serious deficiency classification CCLD issues. Multiple Type A citations can trigger a compliance review and possible temporary suspension of your license. Your facility's ability to admit new residents may be restricted until CCLD confirms correction. This citation is visible to families reviewing your licensing history.

Related violations

Other citations in this regulation family

This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed residential care compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.

Every California assisted living facility's citation record is free to read. Browse facilities by county or look one up by name.

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