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Dementia Care Resources & Information

This information is intended to help you access current regulations and best practices information regarding dementia care if you choose to offer this type of care at your Assisted Living community in California. Dementia care can be provided either in a separate area of the community or as part of the general Assisted Living community.

Dementia Care in Assisted Living

Dementia Regulations
In order to accept or retain residents diagnosed with Alzheimer's or other Dementia care needs, Assisted Living communities must meet Community Care Licensing's regulatory requirements. CCL requires additional staff training and documentation, as well as specific physical plan requirements, in order for an Assisted Living community to accept or retain residents with dementia. These regulatory requirements are addressed in Section 87705. In addition to these operation and care requirements, a seperate section of the regulations addresses advertising requirements for Assisted Living providers who advertise that they offer dementia care. These requirements are addressed in Sections 87706 and 87707.

In addition to these regulations, in 2003 the California State Legislature amended Health and Safety Code Section 1569.2 to include a definition of the term "sundowning." This term refers to a condition in which persons with cognitive impairment experience recurring confusion, disorientation, and increasing levels of agitation that coincide with the onset of late afternoon and early evening. The legislation encourages Assisted Living providers to include this information in training materials for direct care staff.

MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment)

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a term that refers to people whose cognitive abilities are in a "conditional state" between normal aging and dementia. MCI is a state in which at least one cognitive function is impaired to an extent that is greater than would be anticipated in the normal aging process. Dementia means the loss of intellectual function (such as thinking, remembering, reasoning, excercising judgement and making decisions) and other cognitive functions, sufficient to interfere with an individual's ability to perform activities of daily living or to carry out social or occupational activities. The distinction between the two is significant as it is the basis for determining who may reside in a particular RCFE.

CALA has put together a easy to understand brochure with expanded definitions that is available for purchase in packages of 25. Often, Assisted Living providers find it helpful to include this brochure in materials they offer residents as well as potential residents. If you are just interested in more information, please contact the CALA office at (916) 448-1900.

CALA Related Articles

In order to help Assisted Living communities stay current on the most recent regulatory update, as well as the most innovative ways to care for residents with dementia, CALA provides up to date articles in the member newsletter, the CALA Bulletin.

Other Resources

Alzheimer's Association
For more information and resources regarding Alzheimer's and dementia care, we recommend you visit the Alzheimer's Association website. According to their mission statement they are committed to eliminatng Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to providing and enhancing care and support for all affected; and to reducing the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. They also have a list of California based offices for local resources. The national Alzheimer's Association published recommended dementia care practices for Assisted Living Communities and Nursing Homes in 2005. That pdf is available here.

California Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Advisory Committee
In 1998 the California Health and Human Services Agency established this committee to advise the administration and legislature on issues regarding alzheimer's disease and related disorders. According to their website, "the committee’s goal is to implement and administer programs that provide services to persons with Alzheimer's disease and their families." This website has additional informatio regarding statistics in California, the State Alzheimer's Disease Plan, and the committee's Alzheimer's Disease Digest.