Residential care facilities would need to meet “memory care” standards

Community-based residential facilities would have to meet service and training requirements to use the memory care label. The requirements would cover use of “memory care” in a facility’s name, advertising, or communications. Facilities would need to serve people with irreversible dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and meet the staff training requirements. Facilities already providing memory care and intending to keep using the label on or after July 1, 2027, would have to comply by that date.

Facilities using the memory care label would have to include dementia topics in initial and annual training for administrators and resident care staff. Covered workers would include facility managers and staff responsible for resident supervision, medicines, personal care, treatments, or training and activities. Topics would cover understanding dementia, care tailored to each person, communication, handling distressing behavior without medicine, and supporting independence. The resident care staff definition excludes volunteers, off-site employees, and employees working only in food service, maintenance, laundry, housekeeping, transportation, security, or clerical jobs. These training conditions would apply beginning July 1, 2027. Staff would need training in every required topic each year.