Experts suggest that there are currently somewhere around 5.5 million Americans of all ages who suffer from Dementia-related diseases. These conditions require 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 ALF the Minnesota ALLHRD has issued the following regulation for facilities to abide by:
144G.64 TRAINING IN DEMENTIA CARE REQUIRED.
(a) All assisted living facilities must meet the following training requirements:
(1) supervisors of direct-care staff must have at least eight hours of initial training on topics specified under paragraph (b) within 120 working hours of the employment start date, and must have at least two hours of training on topics related to dementia care for every 12 months of employment thereafter;
(2) direct-care employees must have completed at least eight hours of initial training on topics specified under paragraph (b) within 160 working hours of the employment start date. Until this initial training is complete, an employee must not provide direct care unless there is another employee on site who has completed the initial eight hours of training on topics related to dementia care and who can act as a resource and assist if issues arise. A trainer of the requirements under paragraph (b) or a supervisor meeting the requirements in clause (1) must be available for consultation with the new employee until the training requirement is complete. Direct-care employees must have at least two hours of training on topics related to dementia for each 12 months of employment thereafter;
(3) for assisted living facilities with dementia care, direct-care employees must have completed at least eight hours of initial training on topics specified under paragraph (b) within 80 working hours of the employment start date. Until this initial training is complete, an employee must not provide direct care unless there is another employee on site who has completed the initial eight hours of training on topics related to dementia care and who can act as a resource and assist if issues arise. A trainer of the requirements under paragraph (b) or a supervisor meeting the requirements in clause (1) must be available for consultation with the new employee until the training requirement is complete. Direct-care employees must have at least two hours of training on topics related to dementia for each 12 months of employment thereafter;
(4) staff who do not provide direct care, including maintenance, housekeeping, and food service staff, must have at least four hours of initial training on topics specified under paragraph (b) within 160 working hours of the employment start date, and must have at least two hours of training on topics related to dementia care for each 12 months of employment thereafter; and
(5) new employees may satisfy the initial training requirements by producing written proof of previously completed required training within the past 18 months.
(b) Areas of required training include:
(1) an explanation of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias;
(2) assistance with activities of daily living;
(3) problem solving with challenging behaviors;
(4) communication skills; and
(5) person-centered planning and service delivery.
(c) The facility shall provide to consumers in written or electronic form a description of the training program, the categories of employees trained, the frequency of training, and the basic topics covered.
Top Takeaways:
- All assisted living facilities must meet the following training requirements:
(2) direct-care employees must have completed at least eight hours of initial training on topics specified under paragraph (b) within 160 working hours of the employment start date. Until this initial training is complete, an employee must not provide direct care unless there is another employee on site who has completed the initial eight hours of training on topics related to dementia care and who can act as a resource and assist if issues arise. A trainer of the requirements under paragraph (b) or a supervisor meeting the requirements in clause (1) must be available for consultation with the new employee until the training requirement is complete. Direct-care employees must have at least two hours of training on topics related to dementia for each 12 months of employment thereafter;
Onboarding new staff members can be an exciting yet hectic time for your team. There are so many moving pieces from pre-employment documentation to initial orientation. Therefore, facilities are often tagged for missing a crucial training regulation for those staff members who are providing direct care to residents suffering from dementia related diseases. Have a system in place for staff members to complete these trainings PRIOR to providing care no matter how much you need staff immediately.