Is a medical director required by the Assisted Living Community Memory Care add-on certification standards?

Intent

There is an array of cognitive and physiologic conditions that are further complicated by the presence of a dementia diagnosis. The intent of this requirement is to ensure that any specialty program, such as memory care, has adequate clinical oversight by a physician who will direct the provision of safe, effective assisted living services to this population. Joint Commission–accredited Assisted Living Communities (ALCs) that opt for the Memory Care certification must designate a physician that provides clinical leadership for the program. The physician does not need to hold the title of medical director unless it is required by state law or organizational policy. The physician may be employed by the organization or provide services through a contractual relationship. (Reference LD.01.06.01, EP 3; LD.01.07.01, EP 4)

Physical Presence
There is no expectation that the physician be physically present in the ALC or provide direct resident care. The Assisted Living Community determines how the roles and responsibilities of the designated physician are performed. For example, the physician may participate in developing policies or in-service training with others on the interdisciplinary team or only contribute expertise for the content. They may collaborate with a pharmacist at a consulting pharmacy to review reports of psychotropic medication use. Once the organization determines how the responsibilities will be carried out, they will need to provide evidence of or demonstrate their processes during survey activities.

Additional Resources
Memory Care Certification
Assisted Living Community Accreditation