Legislation proposed in Kentucky would set minimum training standards for home health agencies caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Senate Bill 61 calls for workers to undergo at least six hours of state-approved training within 60 days of being hired and then at least three hours of continuing education annually. Advocates for the bill told the Kentucky Senate Health and Welfare Committee that the legislation is needed to provide improved care and to help retain workers.
If workers don’t receive adequate training on how to care for people with Alzheimer’s, the result is “work dissatisfaction and work stress,” said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Stephen Meredith. Meredith added that he hopes that home health workers receiving Alzheimer’s and dementia training stay in the profession longer and advance in their careers.
The bill was approved Wednesday by the state Senate Health and Welfare Committee and next goes to the full Senate for consideration.
