The new Illinois Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias caregiver training requirements have now been released, as part of the new law in Illinois, previously signed by the Governor.
Caregiver Training University enables senior home care agencies in Illinois to easily follow the requirements of the law with memory loss training exactly matching the state law's new 6-hour and 3-hour requirements for caregivers (and annual 8-hour requirement for Supervisors).
Learn more about Bundle pricing and training curriculums: LEARN MORE or Call: 312-669-8820 or email: susan@caregiverlist.com
Caregiver Training University is the only online training company providing training created by home care agency professionals and headquartered in the state of Illinois - we've got you covered with unique tools and pricing that meets your needs).
Illinois licensed senior home care agencies are coded by the number 245 in the regulations that now require annual training and renewal training for any professional caregiver who will be providing care services for someone with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease or another type of memory loss, or dementia. Alzheimer's Disease accounts for more than 60% of all types of dementia.
Illinois Title 77: Public Health, Chapter 1: Department of Public Health
Part 973 Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Services Code, Section 973.140
The law requires new caregivers, hired after June 2, 2019, to be trained for 6-hours and then 3-hours for renewal training. The regulations can be difficult to understand as the alphabetical requirements will jump up and down. Please find below the excerpt from the regulation that explains the caregiver staff training requirements for Illinois senior home care agencies in 2019.
c) Staff with direct access to clients with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia hired after June 2, 2019 shall complete a minimum of 6 hours of initial training in the first 60 days of employment using an Alzheimer's disease and related dementias services curriculum, as defined in subsection (e).
Newly hired Caregivers must be trained in these topics for the 6-hour training requirement, within 60 days, if working with a senior with memory loss (the law says: Alzheimer's disease or related dementias):
e) An Alzheimer's disease and related dementias services curriculum shall include, at a minimum, the following topics:
1) Understanding dementia (e.g., hoarding, paranoia, hallucinations, and Sundown syndrome);
2) Effectively communicating with individuals with dementia;
3) Assisting individuals with dementia in performing activities of daily living;
4) Problem-solving with individuals with dementia who exhibit challenging behavior (e.g., aggressive and catastrophic behaviors);
5) Fundamentals of dementia care;
6) Safe environments (e.g., wandering);
7) Managing the activities of individuals with dementia.
Renewal training every following year must be 3-hours of training in concepts surrounding memory loss of any type, including Alzheimer's disease.
As of June 2, 2019, staff with direct access to clients with dementia shall receive 3 hours of advanced training on caring for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias each year. The mandated training shall include, at a minimum:
1) Promoting resident dignity, independence, individuality, privacy and choice;
2) Resident rights and principles of self-determination;
3) Care of elderly persons with physical, cognitive, behavioral and social disabilities; and
4) Effectively communicating with individuals with dementia.
The home care agencies must show an outline of the training and confirm the topics were covered in the training program they used to train their caregivers.
g) As of June 2, 2019, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias services employers shall maintain training records and make them available to the Department on request. (Section 30 of the Act)
Illinois Home Care Agencies may call 312-669-8820 with questions about online training for Illinois.
