CALA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CALA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following is a key component of HIPAA compliance in assisted living? → Protecting resident health information
2. Which Medicaid program most commonly funds assisted living services for low-income residents in the US? → Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers
3. Which quality indicator is most directly associated with resident safety in an assisted living facility? → Fall rate and fall-with-injury rate
4. Which marketing strategy is most effective for generating referrals to an assisted living facility from healthcare professionals? → Building relationships with hospital discharge planners, social workers, and physicians
5. What does the PDSA cycle stand for in quality improvement methodology? → Plan, Do, Study, Act
6. What is the purpose of a capital expenditure budget in an assisted living facility? → Plan for major asset purchases and facility improvements
7. Why is transparency important in leadership? → To build trust and accountability
8. When a controlled substance is wasted or a partial dose is administered, best practice in assisted living requires: → Two authorized staff members to witness and co-sign the waste documentation
9. Which tool is commonly used in quality improvement to map out the steps in a care process and identify where problems may occur? → Process flow diagram (flowchart)
10. Which marketing tool allows prospective residents and families to virtually experience a facility's amenities before visiting in person? → Virtual tours embedded on the facility website
11. Which quality improvement concept focuses on reducing unnecessary variation in care processes to improve consistency and outcomes? → Standardization of care processes and protocols
12. What role does preventive maintenance play in facility management? → Minimizes breakdowns and disruptions
13. During the admissions process, when must an assisted living facility provide a prospective resident with a written statement of their rights? → Before or at the time of admission, prior to signing the admission agreement
14. What information is a CALA administrator legally prohibited from requesting on an employment application under most US state laws? → Applicant's date of birth or age
15. Why is regulatory compliance important in assisted living facilities? → To meet care and safety standards
16. What role does ethical decision-making play in resident care? → Supports resident-centered, respectful care
17. Which metric measures the percentage of prospective resident inquiries that result in actual move-ins? → Conversion rate
18. Which of the following is essential for emergency preparedness in assisted living facilities? → Emergency preparedness plan
19. An assisted living facility charges a community fee upon admission. How is this fee typically classified? → One-time non-refundable or partially refundable admission revenue
20. Which federal law prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin for employers with 15 or more employees? → Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
21. What is required during a regulatory inspection? → Access to care plans, records, and operations
22. How should administrators handle facility inspections? → Prepare documentation and ensure readiness
23. In an assisted living facility, who is ultimately responsible for ensuring that medication administration policies comply with state regulations? → The Licensed Administrator
24. Which federal law requires facilities to share emergency plans and coordinate with state and local emergency management agencies? → CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule
25. What is the minimum number of hours of initial training typically required for new direct care workers in most US assisted living facilities? → No federal minimum exists; states set requirements
26. Which government agency often oversees assisted living licensing? → State health or social services department
27. Which financial statement shows an assisted living facility's assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time? → Balance sheet
28. Which professional is typically responsible for administering medications to residents? → Certified medication aide or nurse
29. What financial metric measures the percentage of revenue remaining after all operating expenses are paid? → Operating profit margin
30. Which staffing metric measures the cost of losing and replacing one employee in an assisted living facility? → Cost per hire / turnover cost