In Texas, regulations mandate specific dementia training for staff in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) and long-term care facilities to ensure the provision of appropriate care for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.
Nursing Facilities: The Texas Administrative Code, Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 554, outlines the training requirements for nursing facility staff. According to a Long-Term Care Regulatory Provider Letter issued on December 4, 2023, nursing facilities are required to provide training that includes:
- An overview of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.
- Techniques for effective communication with individuals with dementia.
- Strategies for managing challenging behaviors.
- Methods to promote independence in activities of daily living.
- Approaches to ensure resident safety.
- These training components are designed to equip staff with the necessary skills to deliver person-centered care to residents with dementia.
Texas Health and Human Services
Assisted Living Facilities: For assisted living facilities, the Texas Administrative Code, Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 553, specifies that: Staff members working in facilities that advertise Alzheimer’s or dementia care services must receive four hours of dementia-specific training before beginning work. This training should cover areas such as understanding dementia, communication techniques, behavior management, and promoting resident autonomy. These requirements ensure that staff are adequately prepared to meet the unique needs of residents with dementia.
Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs): CNAs in Texas are required to complete 24 hours of approved in-service education every two years, which includes:
- Training on dementia and dementia-related disorders.
- Resident care for dementia-related conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease.
This ongoing education ensures that CNAs remain knowledgeable about best practices in dementia care.
Texas Health and Human Services
The Texas Alzheimer’s dementia training requirements reflect Texas’s commitment to enhancing the quality of care for individuals with dementia in long-term care settings.
Regulation: Texas Administrative Code, Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 554
Justice in Aging
