New Memory Care Certification option for Assisted Living Communities debuts in July

Effective July 1, The Joint Commission will launch a Memory Care Certification (MCC) option for Joint Commission-accredited assisted living communities. The purpose of the specialty certification is to ensure that assisted living communities serving residents who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia are meeting standards that support the delivery of high-quality care in a safe environment.

The new certification requirements:

• Reflect current scientific evidence and best practices in memory care.
• Align with recommendations and practice guidelines from the Alzheimer’s Association.
• Build on existing requirements for the Assisted Living Community (ALC) Accreditation program.

The Alzheimer’s Association — the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care — collaborated with The Joint Commission to develop the standards to ensure that Joint Commission standards align with their dementia care practice recommendations. Assisted living communities achieving MCC on or after July 1, will be able to display a certification logo associated with both The Joint Commission and the Alzheimer’s Association.

For more information about the new certification option, contact the Department of Standards and Survey Methods. For more information on the collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, contact Mark Crafton, MPA, MT(ASCP), Executive Director, Strategic Alliances, at .

View the prepublication standards.