Mandatory Training Requirements for Assisted Living Employees – Changes Effective July 1

Posted on February 27, 2025 by Bobbie Guidry

Minnesota statute 144G.64 establishes mandatory training in dementia care, mental illness, and de-escalation for all assisted living facilities. This ensures staff are equipped to provide quality care and manage challenging situations effectively.

In addition to the 8 hours of dementia training currently required, effective July 1, 2025, all staff need to have the initial two hours of mental illness/de-escalation training completed and documented. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements:

Who Needs Training?

1. Supervisors of Direct-Care Staff
   • Initial Training: 8 hours on dementia and 2 hours on mental illness/de-escalation within 120 working hours of hire.
   • Ongoing: 2 hours annually on dementia, 1 hour annually on mental illness/de-escalation.
2. Direct-Care Staff
   • Initial Training: 8 hours on dementia and 2 hours on mental illness/de-escalation within 160 working hours of hire.
   • Assisted Living with Dementia Care: The same training must be completed within 80 working hours. Until complete, an experienced and trained staff member must supervise.
   • Ongoing: 2 hours annually on dementia, 1 hour annually on mental illness/de-escalation.
3. Non-Direct-Care Staff (e.g., maintenance, housekeeping, food service)
   • Initial Training: 4 hours on dementia and 2 hours on mental illness/de-escalation within 160 working hours of hire.
   • Ongoing: 2 hours annually on dementia, 1 hour annually on mental illness/de-escalation.
4. New Staff with Previous Training:
   • Training completed within the past 18 months may satisfy initial requirements if documented proof is provided.

Training Content

Training must include (see 144G.64 for specific topics 1-8):

• Dementia topics such as understanding Alzheimer’s and other dementias, assisting with activities of daily living, communication skills, and person-centered care.
• Mental health topics like recognizing mental illness symptoms, de-escalation techniques, crisis resolution, and suicide prevention.

Consumer Information

Facilities must provide written or electronic descriptions of their training programs, including staff categories, training frequency, and topics covered, ensuring transparency for residents and their families. Be sure to update the information you provide to residents and their representatives.

Strategies for Compliance

1. Reach out to your current annual training partner to make sure they have content covering the new training topics and incorporate this into your training plan.
2. EduCare, LeadingAge Minnesota’s exclusive, on-demand training partner, has released new courses to meet new Assisted Living requirements.
3. If you don’t use EduCare for your annual training, you can purchase their 2-hour mental illness and de-escalation training through LeadingAge Minnesota.
4. For more information about contacting county crisis response teams and 988 suicide and crisis lifelines, one of the required training topics, view the article Supporting Residents with Serious Mental Illness.

For questions on the new training requirement email Bobbie Guidry at bguidry@leadingagemn.org. Other inquires can be directed to education@leadinagemn.org.