VA Benefits for Memory Care in Pennsylvania

Dementia Unit Admission and Resident Placement Rules

Pennsylvania requires facilities operating dementia care units to assess residents and confirm the appropriateness of placement before move-in.

• A resident assessment must be completed before admission to the dementia care unit.
• Documentation of the resident’s dementia diagnosis must be gathered at least 72 hours prior to admission.
• Facilities must be prepared to provide families or other responsible parties with 30 days’ notice if a resident needs to move to another facility.

Safety, Security, and Physical Environment Standards

Facilities operating secure dementia care programs must maintain environmental protections designed to reduce wandering risk while still supporting resident movement and activity.

• Communities must maintain safe indoor exercise space for residents.
• Facilities must also provide safe outdoor exercise space.
• If a provider wants to install doors with locking systems that prevent immediate exit, it must first obtain approval from the Department of Health.
• No more than two residents may live in the same memory care suite.

Staff Training and Dementia Care Requirements

Pennsylvania requires additional dementia-focused training for caregiving staff working in memory care programs beyond the annual education already expected in other personal care settings.

• Caregiving staff must complete a minimum of six hours of annual dementia-specific training.
• This training is required in addition to the 12 hours of annual education already required in other personal care communities.
• These extra training expectations are intended to better prepare staff to care for residents living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Licensing Inspections and Public Inspection History

Pennsylvania requires an initial inspection before a personal care home or assisted living facility may begin operating as a licensed provider. After licensing, the Department of Human Services conducts unannounced inspections every year.

• An initial inspection is required before licensure.
• After licensing, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services performs annual unannounced inspections.
• Local fire departments may also perform additional inspections when fire safety concerns arise.

Families can review licensing status and inspection history through the Human Services Provider Directory.

• Under program office, select Office of Long-Term Living.
• Under service code, choose either personal care homes or assisted living facilities.
• Under service code subcategory, select secure dementia care unit.
• The license status and license number section includes links to inspection summaries.
• Inspection summaries show whether the community passed inspection and, if not, identify cited violations.