Specialized Dementia Care Programs

Experts suggest that there are currently somewhere around 5.5 million Americans of all ages who suffer from Dementia-related diseases. These conditions require very knowledgeable medical personnel due to the increased needs the person may need. Dementia and illnesses can cause loss of motor function, memory impairment and even at times cause negative behaviors that affect others around them. When deciding to have a specialized memory care program in your ARCP the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has issued the following regulation for facilities to abide by:

6851. Specialized Dementia Care Programs

Scope and Purpose. The ARCP may establish a separate and distinct program to meet the needs of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder. The ARCP shall provide a program of individualized care based upon an assessment of the cognitive and functional abilities of residents who have been included in the program.
Any ARCP that offers such a program shall disclose this program to the department upon establishing the program or upon its discontinuance.
Policies and Procedures
An ARCP that advertises, promotes, or markets itself as offering a specialized dementia care program shall have written policies and procedures for the program that are retained by the administrative staff and available to all staff, to members of the public, and to residents, including those participating in the program.
The ARCP shall have established criteria for inclusion in the specialized dementia care program.
Guidelines for inclusion shall be provided to the resident, his/her family, and his/her legal representative.
Door locking arrangements to create secured areas may be permitted where the clinical needs of the residents require specialized protective measures for their safety, provided that such locking arrangements are approved by the OSFM and satisfy the requirements established by the OSFM and in accordance with R.S. 40:1300.121 et seq.
If the services are provided in a secured area where special door locking arrangements are used, the ARCP shall comply with the requirements established for limited health care occupancies in accordance with the laws, rules, and codes adopted by the OSFM.
The secured areas shall be designed and staffed to provide the care and services necessary for the resident’s needs to be met.
There shall be sufficient staff to respond to emergency situations in the locked unit at all times.
PCSPs shall address the reasons for the resident being in the unit and how the ARCP is meeting the resident’s needs.
There must be documentation in the resident’s record to indicate the unit is the least restrictive environment possible, and placement in the unit is needed to facilitate meeting the resident’s needs.
Inclusion in a program on the unit must be in compliance with R.S. 40:1299.53.
Staff Training. Training in the specialized care of residents who are diagnosed by a physician as having Alzheimer’s disease, or a related disorder, shall be provided to all persons employed by the ARCP in accordance with the provisions established in §6867 of this Chapter.
Disclosure of Services. An ARCP that advertises or markets itself as offering a specialized dementia care program shall provide in writing the following to any member of the public seeking information about the program:
the form of care or treatment provided that distinguishes it as being especially applicable to or suitable for such persons;
the philosophy and mission reflecting the needs of residents living with dementia;
the criteria for inclusion in the program and for discontinuance of participation should that become appropriate; Title 48, Part I 459 Louisiana Administrative Code August 2018
the assessment, care planning, and the processes for ensuring the care plan’s responsiveness to the changes in the resident’s condition;
the staffing patterns, training, and continuing education;
the physical environment and design features appropriate to support the functioning of residents living with dementia;
the involvement of families and the availability of family support programs;
the activities that are specifically directed toward residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or a related disorder including, but not limited to, those designed to maintain the resident’s dignity and personal identity, enhance socialization and success, and accommodate the cognitive and functional ability of the resident;
the frequency of the activities that will be provided to such residents;
the safety policies and procedures and any security monitoring system that is specific to residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or a related disorder including, but not limited to safety and supervision within the secured unit and within the secured exterior area; and
the program fees.
An ARCP that advertises or markets itself as having a specialized dementia care program shall provide a secured exterior area for residents to enjoy the outdoors in a safe and secure manner.

Top Takeaways:

Staff Training. Training in the specialized care of residents who are diagnosed by a physician as having Alzheimer’s disease, or a related disorder, shall be provided to all persons employed by the ARCP in accordance with the provisions established in 6867 of this Chapter.

Surveyors will ensure to focus on areas of training, especially when it comes to the training records of those held responsible for maintaining the care of residents who suffer from dementia-related diseases. You must have a system set up for any care staff that could possibly be assigned for the unit. It is recommended that you or your designee verify the completion of this training.

Scope and Purpose. The ARCP may establish a separate and distinct program to meet the needs of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder. The ARCP shall provide a program of individualized care based upon an assessment of the cognitive and functional abilities of residents who have been included in the program.

This Memory Care unit should not just be an area to hold residents suffering from a terrible illness. This unity shall be a community in itself with dignified meaning for residents who need specialized care. You should include services based upon each individual resident’s needs as well as having fruitful programming of activities.