Join the movement for better care, starting with the Forum on May 7, and continuing with your certification!
The upcoming Cleveland Clinic Global Women’s Health Forum, co-hosted with Maria Shriver’s Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement (WAM) serves as a platform to address the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s disease on women. For Maria Shriver, the fight against Alzheimer’s is personal. Her father, Sargent Shriver, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and she witnessed firsthand the devastating toll the condition takes on the individual and the entire family unit.
For professional caregivers, staying current on the best practices for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) care isn’t just about providing quality support, it’s often a state requirement.
Many states across the US mandate specialized training for caregivers who work with individuals living with ADRD. This ensures that the care provided is informed by the latest research and focused on dignity, safety, and effective communication strategies.
States with Specific ADRD Training Requirements for Professional Caregivers include:
| State | Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) State Training Requirements | Primary Government Sources |
| California | Home Care Aides: Must complete 5 hours initial training (2 hours orientation + 3 hours safety). Annual 5 hours CE must include population‑specific topics such as dementia care. RCFE (Residential Care Facility for the Elderly): Must complete 12 hours of initial dementia‑specific training (6 hours before independent work, 6 hours within the first 4 weeks), plus 8 hours of dementia‑specific annual training thereafter. | CA Health & Safety Code §1796.44; CA Health & Safety Code §1569.626; Title 22 CCR §87705 |
| Florida | 1 hour ADRD training within 30 days + 2 hours within the first 7 months (total 3 hours). Applies to home health, nurse registries, homemaker/companion providers. | §430.5025, F.S. (CS/SB 1182); DOEA ADRD Curriculum |
| Illinois | Direct‑access staff must complete 6 hours initial ADRD training within 60 days, plus 3 hours annual advanced ADRD training. | 410 ILCS 406; 77 Ill. Adm. Code 973; 210 ILCS 55 |
| Kentucky | Home health aides and personal care staff must complete 6 hours initial dementia‑specific training and 3 hours annual dementia‑specific CE. | 902 KAR 20:048; 902 KAR 20:081 |
| Maryland | Residential Service Agencies must ensure 3 hours dementia training within 45 days of hire, plus 2 hours dementia‑specific CE each calendar year. | MD Health–General Code §19‑4A‑03.1 |
| Minnesota | Direct‑care staff providing assisted living services must complete 8 hours dementia training within 160 hours or 6 months, plus 2 hours annual dementia CE. | Minnesota Statutes §144G.64 |
| New Hampshire | Covered administrative and direct service staff must complete 6 hours initial dementia‑specific CE, plus 4 hours dementia‑specific ongoing training each calendar year. Training must include updated best practices in dementia care. | RSA 151:48–50; N.H. Admin Code He‑P 803.17(f) |
| New Jersey | CHHAs must complete 2 hours dementia training for certification; agencies must provide dementia‑specific orientation. | N.J.S.A. 26:2M‑15; N.J.A.C. 13:45B‑14.1 |
| New York | PCA (40 hours) and HHA (75 hours) programs include dementia content. Agencies must provide additional ADRD orientation (commonly 3 hours) under the Dementia Care Act. | 10 NYCRR §766.11; NY DOH PCA/HHA Manuals |
Meet Your State Training Requirements with Caregiverlist, Inc.
The insights shared at the Cleveland Clinic Forum highlight the need for specialized, research-backed training. Caregiverlist®️ offers comprehensive, state-compliant courses designed specifically to meet the mandatory training hours for ADRD and other essential care topics.
Don’t wait for a compliance audit to ensure your skills are up-to-date. Certified caregivers are in higher demand and can often command better wages. Invest in yourself by enrolling in Caregiverlist’s Certification Courses.
