CALA News & Views | Issue 54 | Impact

Educating Members on the New Dementia Care Requirements The new dementia care regulations went into effect on Jan. 1, 2025. These were the first updates since the original implementation and brought significant changes – the biggest being the requirement to no longer use a diagnosis as the measure for when to implement heightened restrictions but instead use ongoing evaluations for behavioral expressions that could put a resident or other residents at risk. CALA held a webinar at the end of 2024 to help prepare members for the coming changes and then held three additional webinars and a dedicated conference session to provide ongoing education about the regulatory changes and an opportunity for members to have their questions answered. CALA also launched a dedicated Dementia Care Resources webpage with significant resources to help CALA members understand the changes. CALA members have access to the following resources on the Dementia Care Resources webpage: » An “as amended” version of the regulations that integrates the new dementia care requirements into the previous regulations so that updates are easily identifiable. Comments on the document provide information and context about current requirements that were relocated or updated, etc. » CALA’s version of the LIC 602A, the medical assessment form, has been updated to reflect changes made by the dementia care regulations. » A Plan of Operation for Dementia Care, courtesy of Allen Flores Consulting Group , to help with any needed updates to the plan of operation, and a Behavioral Expression Appraisal and Plan to help monitor and address resident behavioral expressions. » A link to the DSS Dementia Care in RCFEs and Miscellaneous Regulation Changes Information and Resources webpage, which serves as a hub for communications, resources and documents related to this regulation package. » Links to helpful information from the Alzheimer's Association and other related resources. » CALA’s updated Toolkit for Reducing Antipsychotic Use.

2026 ADVOCACY DAY SAVE THE DATE April 7, 2026 Stay tuned for more details. www.CAassistedliving.org

ADVOCACY ACTION CENTER The Advocacy Action Center provides tools needed to work with legislators to build meaningful, productive relationships. .More Info

DEMENTIA CARE RESOURCES

CALA NEWS & VIEWS I ISSUE 54 | NOVEMBER 2025 12