Alzheimer’s/dementia programs | NJ

ALZHEIMER’S/DEMENTIA PROGRAMS

 

8:36-19.1       Scope and purpose

 

(a) Assisted living facilities may establish programs to meet the needs of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Such programs shall provide individualized care based upon assessment of the cognitive and functional abilities of Alzheimer’s and dementia residents who have been admitted to the program.

 

8:36-19.2       Alzheimer’s/dementia program policies and procedures

 

  • An assisted living facility that advertises or holds itself out as having an Alzheimer’s/dementia program shall have written policies and procedures for the Alzheimer’s/dementia program that are retained by the administrative staff and available to all staff and to members of the public, including those participating in the program.

 

  • The facility shall have established criteria for admission to the program and criteria for discharge from the program when the resident’s needs can no longer be met, based upon a registered professional nurse’s assessment of the resident’s cognitive and functional

 

8:36-19.3       Staff training program for Alzheimer’s/dementia

 

(a) In a facility that advertises or holds itself out as having an Alzheimer’s/dementia program, training in specialized care of residents who are diagnosed by a physician as having Alzheimer’s/dementia shall be provided to all licensed and unlicensed staff who provide direct care to residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 26:2M-7.2.

 

  1. Copies of the mandatory training program may be obtained from the Department by submitting a written request to:

Long-Term Care Licensing and Certification Unit Division of Long-Term Care Systems

New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services PO Box 367

Trenton, NJ 08625-0367

 

8:36-19.4       Services for residents with Alzheimer’s/dementia

 

  • A facility that advertises or holds itself out as having an Alzheimer’s/dementia program shall, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 26:2M-7.1, compile and maintain daily records for each shift in the facility and provide to a member of the public, upon request, information that indicates for each shift, as appropriate:

 

  1. The number of licensed and unlicensed staff providing direct care to residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and related disorders.

 

  • A facility that advertises or holds itself out as having an Alzheimer’s/dementia program shall, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 26:2M-7.1, provide a member of the public seeking placement of a person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and/or related disorders in the facility with a clear and concise written list that indicates:

 

  1. The activities that are specifically directed toward residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and related disorders, 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;

 

  1. The frequency of the activities listed in paragraph 1 above; and

 

  1. The safety policies and procedures and any security monitoring system that is specific to residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and related