NC H456

Requires adult care homes, nursing homes, and combination homes providing special care for Alzheimer's disease or dementia patients to provide mandatory dementia care training to all staff within 60 days of hire.

Training curriculum for direct care and administrative staff must cover dementia progression, person-centered care strategies, communication, behavioral management alternatives to restraints, social needs, and safety issues including pain and wandering management.

Training curriculum for non-direct care staff must cover dementia basics and communication issues; all staff must pass an evaluation demonstrating competency to complete initial training.

Establishes continuing dementia care education requirements to be specified by the Department, with standards for trainers (minimum 2 years related experience) and portable certificates valid for 24 months across settings.

Facilities bear all training costs and must compensate staff at normal rates while attending required programs; inspections beginning January 1, 2018 will review compliance with these training requirements.