Dementia training requirements approved

A measure that requires training on dementia-related care for certain state employees was approved April 9.

LB1055, sponsored by Bennington Sen. Wendy DeBoer, requires state Department of Health and Human Services adult protective services officials to complete at least one hour of training related to caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia every five years.

Individuals currently working as adult protective services officials are required to complete such training within 30 days of the bill’s enactment.

Under the measure, DHHS also is authorized to collaborate with a private nonprofit organization with expertise in working with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia to provide training that includes information on:
• safety precautions;
• the most common types of abuse;
• recognizing psychiatric and behavioral symptoms;
• respectful and effective communication;
• techniques for understanding and approaching behavioral symptoms;
• alerting law enforcement agencies to potential neglect, exploitation or criminal behavior by a family member, caretaker or institution;
• methods of identifying incidents of self-neglect or caregiver neglect; and
• protocols for referring individuals to local care resources and professionals to encourage cross-referral.

LB1055 passed on a 49-0 vote.