Nursing homes and assisted living facilities no longer have to pay licensing fees to show videos to residents.
The American Health Care Association, the National Center for Assisted Living and LeadingAge, a Washington, D.C.-based association of nonprofits focused on quality of life for America’s aging population, have negotiated an agreement with the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation that exempts these facilities from video licensing fees.
“Today’s nursing and assisted living facilities not only provide the utmost care to our nation’s seniors, but also encourage residents to engage and interact. One of the most popular ways residents socialize is by settling in to a good movie,” said Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “We are pleased to have reached this agreement with the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation, so our facilities can continue to bring residents together through this timeless American tradition.”
“Movies don’t just provide residents with entertainment. They offer opportunities for interaction, engagement and a higher quality of life,” LeadingAge CEO Larry Minnix said. “We are grateful to the MPLC for ensuring that residents can continue to enjoy this important activity.”
While nursing homes and assisted living facilities are exempt from video licensing fees, the agreement details that communities with independent living units, apartments or other similarly defined living quarters must acquire a license based on the number of independent apartments in the community. Also, any senior community or facility that has a closed circuit television system (such as an in-house channel) playing videos shall obtain a license.
Many long-term care facilities incorporate a number of facets including nursing, assisted living, independent living and continuing care retirement communities and in those settings the license is required based on the independent apartments.