Facts about Memory Certification for Assisted Living Communities

In 2023, The Joint Commission introduced Memory Care Certification for Assisted Living Communities (ALCs). The certification is a collaborative effort by The Joint Commission and the Alzheimer’s Association. This voluntary, specialty certification recognizes Joint Commission accredited ALCs that meet Joint Commission standards to support the delivery of high-quality care for residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.

The Joint Commission Memory Care Certification encompasses the provision of care and services for residents with memory impacting conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The goal of memory care is to provide person-centered care that honors lifelong routines and preferences; activity programming that matches the resident’s cognitive level; and alternatives to medication use for managing behaviors. These standards also highlight the importance of providing memory care in a physical environment with features that promote a resident’s ability to maintain the highest level of function and independence possible. The standards specifically address the needs of residents living with dementia, including environment of care requirements that organizations provide visual cues or landmarks in the physical environment to assist with wayfinding, as well as provide an environment in which noises that may overstimulate, or distress, residents are minimized.

Assisted Living accreditation standards for memory care address five key areas:
• Care coordination: Staff collaboratively assess, plan, and provide care that is consistent with current advances in dementia care practices.
• Staff knowledge and competency: Staff have the qualifications, skills, training, and education to assess and provide care for a resident population with memory impairment.
• Activity programming based on abilities: Staff provide activities that match the resident’s cognitive ability, memory, attention span, language, reasoning ability, and physical function.
• Behavior management: The organization emphasizes the use of nonpharmacological interventions as an alternative to antipsychotic medications.
• Safe and supportive physical environment: The organization modifies the physical environment to promote safety and minimize confusion and overstimulation.

Optional Memory Care Certification requirements are built upon the Assisted Living Community accreditation requirements and recognize organizations that demonstrate advanced competency in dementia care services. To be eligible for Memory Care Certification, The Joint Commission requires Assisted Living Communities to have an organized approach to the care, treatment and services provided to the special resident population. A distinct memory care unit is not required. 

Key certification requirements include:
• Specialized care and service programming centered around a resident’s unique needs, preferences, abilities and interests, that are led by a qualified individual experienced and trained in the care of residents with dementia.
• Advanced staff training and demonstrated competence in current best practices in dementia care.
• Engaging mealtime, social and recreational experiences designed for residents with dementia that include families and opportunities for intergenerational activities. 
• Provision of a safe, functional environment that minimizes noise and confusing visual stimuli for residents with dementia.
• An organizational learning culture demonstrated by Assisted Living participation in activities sponsored by a national organization relating to dementia care.
• Availability of support groups for family members of residents with dementia.

Organizations have the option to obtain certification during their scheduled accreditation survey, or if already accredited, can request an extension survey to obtain certification any time during the three-year accreditation cycle.

The certification requirements reflect current evidence-based practices in memory care, align with the Alzheimer’s Association Dementia Care Practice Recommendations, and build on existing requirements for The Joint Commission’s Assisted Living Community Accreditation Program. 

Learn more

• Memory Care Certification for Assisted Living Communities
• Assisted Living Community Accreditation Program
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• Call 630-792-5020