Searching for care options can be overwhelming. When looking for a care provider, it is empowering to know that a nursing home or assisted living community meets the needs of the person you're caring for. Certification developed in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association recognizes assisted living communities and nursing homes that focus on safe, comprehensive, person-first care for residents living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.
With the Alzheimer’s Association & AARP Community Resource Finder, you can search for long-term care communities that have earned The Joint Commission Memory Care Certification. Certified care providers follow the Alzheimer's Association's Dementia Care Practice Recommendations, which were developed to better define quality care across all care settings and throughout the disease course. By familiarizing yourself with these resources, you can approach your decision-making process with assurance and clarity.
Look for the Memory Care Certification logo
You can feel confident in choosing a care provider when you see the Memory Care Certification logo on Community Resource Finder. This logo indicates that the provider has undergone a thorough certification process, including an on-site evaluation. Under Housing Options, select either Skilled Nursing or Assisted Living. Then narrow your search results using the Accreditations and Certifications filter and select Joint Commission Memory Care Certification.
Find Certified Housing Options
Look for these icons on Community Resource Finder when considering a care provider:
Joint Commission Accreditation
The Joint Commission Accreditation (the Gold Seal) means that the organization as a whole meets the high standards of quality dementia care, established by the Joint Commission and evaluated on-site. Assisted living communities and nursing homes must earn the Gold Seal before they can be eligible to earn Memory Care Certification.
Memory Care Certification for Assisted Living Communities
The Joint Commission Memory Care Certification for Assisted Living Communities logo means that the assisted living community's memory care program specifically meets the highest standards of quality dementia care, as does the organization as a whole.This certification requires assisted living communities to have a structured plan for providing care, treatment and services to people living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. All assisted living communities that have earned Memory Care Certification have also earned the Gold Seal.
Memory Care Certification for Nursing Care Centers
The Joint Commission Memory Care Certification for Nursing Care Centers logo means that the nursing home's memory care program specifically meets the highest standards of quality dementia care, as does the organization as a whole. This certification requires nursing care centers to have a structured plan for providing care, treatment and services to people living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. All nursing care centers that have earned Memory Care Certification have also earned the Gold Seal.
What is Memory Care Certification?
The Joint Commission Memory Care Certification was developed in collaboration with the Alzheimer's Association. This certification requires nursing care centers and assisted living communities to have a structured plan for providing care, treatment and services to people living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, based on the Alzheimer's Association Dementia Care Practice Recommendations.
To be eligible for The Joint Commission Memory Care Certification, nursing care centers and assisted living communities must have already earned Gold Seal accreditation from The Joint Commission. They also must pass The Joint Commission's thorough on-site evaluation and rigorous standards to demonstrate they thoroughly address the critical quality and safety issues for those with cognitive impairments, including:
- Specialized care and service programming that is centered on residents' unique needs, preferences, abilities and interests. Programming is led by qualified individuals who are experienced and trained in the care of residents living with dementia.
- Advanced staff training and demonstrated competence in current best practices in dementia care.
- Engaging mealtime, social and recreational experiences designed for residents living with dementia, which include families and opportunities for intergenerational activities.
- A safe, functional environment that minimizes noise and confusing visual stimuli for residents living with dementia.
- An organizational culture of learning, which is demonstrated by the organization's participation in national dementia activities.
- Availability of support groups for family members of residents with dementia.
For professional care providers
The Joint Commission Memory Care Certification program helps organizations improve care for people living with dementia. This program focuses on the coordination and delivery of specialized care and programming, staff competency and training, the safety of the physical environment of care, and support services for the families of residents and patients with dementia.
Organizations awarded with Memory Care Certification will be listed on The Joint Commission Quality Check® website and on the Alzheimer’s Association Community Resource Finder, a database of dementia and aging-related resources for those seeking programs and services.
Learn more about the Memory Care Certification process for nursing care centers and assisted living communities.
Contact us
For guidance on navigating this process and choosing memory care, or for any assistance, please call our 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.