The Arizona Department of Health Services has filed its notice of proposed rules for memory care services. The public now has an opportunity to comment.
Last April, Gov. Katie Hobbs signed into law a bill that would set training standards for staff who work at facilities that offer memory care services. Tory Roberg is with the Alzheimer’s Association in Phoenix.
"The rules are amazing, actually. I'm pretty excited ... from the Alzheimer's Association, I think that it's a giant leap forward in increasing the quality of care that people living with dementia in our state will receive," Roberg said.
Roberg says the proposed rules are a collaboration between advocacy groups like hers and the facilities themselves.
"We have all been working together to find common ground on what these rules should look like," Roberg said.
Besides requiring specific memory care training requirements for staff, "also there are aspects of this regarding the environment that people are living in. Is it appropriate for dementia? And is it an enriching environment? Is it helpful to them? Is it not confusing?" Roberg said.
Roberg says the proposed rules also require memory care facilities to have adequate staff to meet residents’ needs.
The public has until April 8 to comment on the rules.
