to main content Memory Care Certification | The Joint Commission

Collaborating 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 collaborating to address the quality and safety needs of these residents, and is proud to offer Joint Commission Memory Care Certification for Assisted Living Communities. Now accepting applications, this program helps organizations minimize risk and improve care for patients and residents with all levels of cognitive impairment.

Market Distinction in Memory Care

Joint Commission Memory Care Certification for Assisted Living Communities 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's 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.

Joint Designated Logo

Quality CheckCommunity Resource FinderView publicity kit

Eligibility

This certification is 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.

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 reflect best practices in memory care and provides an evidence-based approach toward ensuring the highest quality care for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia in assisted living communities.
View requirements

Application for Certification

The application for certification is an important step in your journey. It collects essential information about your organization, and helps determine the composition of the survey team and the services we’ll need to review.
Request an application

Stay Informed

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.

Have questions? Request a call from one of our team members.

Register for updates
Joint Commission International Gold Seal
Interested in
becoming accredited?