Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorder Training

Facilities which advertise that they provide special care for persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, or who maintain secured areas as described in Rule 58A-5.023, must ensure that facility staff receive the following training:

ALZHEIMER'S LEVEL I TRAINING REQUIREMENT

Facility staff who have regular contact with or provide direct care to residents with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, shall obtain four (4) hours of initial training within 3 months of employment. Completion of the ALF Core Training Program after April 20, 1998, shall satisfy this requirement. "Staff who have regular contact" means staff who interact on a daily basis with residents but do not provide direct care to residents. Initial training must address the following subject areas:

• Understanding Alzheimer's disease and related disorders;
• Characteristics of Alzheimer's disease;
• Communicating with residents with Alzheimer's disease;
• Family issues;
• Resident environment; and
• Ethical issues.

The initial Alzheimer's Level I Training may only be provided by approved Alzheimer's Training Providers.

ALZHEIMER'S LEVEL II TRAINING REQUIREMENT

Facility staff who provide direct care to residents with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, must obtain an additional four (4) hours of training within 9 months of employment. Facility staff who meet the requirements for Alzheimer's training providers will be considered as having met this requirement. Such training must address the following subject areas as they apply to these disorders:

• Behavior management;
• Assistance with ADLs;
• Activities for residents;
• Stress management for the care giver; and
• Medical information.

The additional Alzheimer's Level II Training may only be provided by approved Alzheimer's Training Providers.

ALZHEIMER'S CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

Direct care staff shall participate in four (4) hours of continuing education annually as required under s. 400.4178, F.S. Continuing education received under this paragraph may be used to meet 3 of the 12 hours of continuing education required by s. 400.452, F.S., or 3 of the 6 hours of continuing education for Extended Congregate Care.

Note: Facility staff who have only incidental contact with residents with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders must receive general written information provided by the facility on interacting with such residents, as required under s. 400.4178, F.S., within 3 months of employment. Facility staff who are already employed prior to April 20, 1998, shall have 6 months from that date to receive this information. "Incidental contact" means all staff who neither provide direct care nor are in regular contact with such residents.