California’s Memory Care Training Requirements
New legislation requiring training for staff at residential care facilities recently passed in California. California’s AB 1570 (which affects Sections 4, 5, and 6 of Chapter 698—residential care facilities for the elderly— State Department of Social Services) was passed into law on 28 September 2014, takes effect on 1 January 2016, and requires staff members who assist residents with personal activities of daily living at residential care facilities to receive training as follows:
From Section 4, 1569.625
Staff other than direct care must receive 40 hours of training, 20 hours of which shall include six hours specific to dementia care before working independently with residents. The remaining 20 hours which shall include six hours specific to dementia care shall be completed within the first four weeks of employment.
From Section 5, 1569.626
All residential care facilities for the elderly that advertise or promote special care, special programming, or a special environment for persons with dementia, in addition to complying with the training requirements in 1569.625, shall meet the following training requirements for all direct care staff: Staff must also receive six hours of resident orientation within the first four weeks of employment. All six hours shall be devoted to care of persons with dementia. Eight hours of in-service training per year on the subject of serving residents with dementia is also required.
From Section 6, 1569.626
CNAs, LPNs, and RNs (all direct care staff) must receive 12 hours of dementia care training, six of which shall be completed before a staff member begins working independently with residents, and the remaining six hours shall be completed within the first four weeks of employment. All 12 hours shall be devoted to the care of persons with dementia.
Dementia Care Specialists Can Help You Meet the Training Requirements!
Helping You Train Staff
Dementia care units and facilities across the US use our Dementia Capable Care training program to raise the standard for memory care. Training focuses on information about Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, discusses how to communicate with people who have dementia and their families, and centers on how to maximize function, safety, independence, and quality of life for residents with dementia.