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 every 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 every 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 every 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.