Partnering to Address a Growing Need
An estimated 6.5 million Americans aged 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s and roughly 34% of assisted living community residents have Alzheimer’s or other dementias. The Joint Commission and the Alzheimer’s Association are partnering to address the quality and safety needs of these residents, with its Assisted Living Community Memory Care Certification. Planning to launch July of 2023, this program will help organizations minimize risk and improve care for patients and residents with all levels of cognitive impairment.
A Collaborative Approach to Memory Care Requirements
Aligning our requirements with the Alzheimer’s Association Dementia Care Practice Recommendations and incorporating input from a Standards Review Panel and Public Field Reviews, the program requirements not only reflect current scientific evidence and best practices in memory care but also provide an evidence-based approach toward ensuring the highest quality care for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia in assisted living communities. The certification standards will be published in the spring 2023 update to the online standards manual, but organizations can view the requirements now via a prepublication version of this program’s requirements.
Market Distinction in Memory Care
The Assisted Living Community Memory Care Certification option provides a unique opportunity to recognize assisted living communities that are meeting state-of-the-art standards and implementing best practices for dementia care. Providers achieving this distinction will be recognized on Quality Check® - the web site which lists Joint Commission accredited/certified organizations – as well as in the Alzheimer’s Association Community Resource Finder, a database of dementia and aging-related resources for those seeking programs and services. Organizations will also be able to display a certification logo associated with both The Joint Commission and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Eligibility
This certification will be available to organizations that have achieved or are currently seeking accreditation through our Assisted Living Community Accreditation Program. Organizations will 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 during the 3-year accreditation cycle.
Stay Informed
Expected to launch July 2023, we’re excited to share the ongoing progress of this new certification program for assisted living communities! To stay in the know of important updates, register to receive ongoing news about this program.
