Dementia-inclusive home and community care

Note: The scope for this NOI (originally published on July 12, 2022) was updated by the responsible SDO on April 29, 2025.

Note: The scope and project need for this NOI (originally published on July 12, 2022) was updated by the responsible SDO on April 24, 2025.

Note: The ICS Code, scope & project need for this NOI (originally published on July 12, 2022) were updated by the responsible SDO on June 18, 2024.

Note: This NOI (originally published on July 12, 2022) was reissued by the responsible SDO on June 13, 2023.  An additional comment period of June 13 to July 5, 2023 will apply.

The Standard describes essential elements and specific requirements and recommendations for the care of persons living with dementia in home and community care settings.  It is intended for use by all persons living with dementia as well as groups and individuals who deliver services to persons living with dementia in those settings, including

a) home and community care service organizations, whether public, private or non-profit; 

b) Agencies involved in the oversight, education and support of home and community care organizations;

c) health care professionals, administrators, and support personnel employed by the home and community care organization; and

d) Care partners

e) subcontractors.

This Standard includes requirements and recommendations for supporting quality of life through directed living standards for persons living with dementia with specific attention to:

a) needs assessment;

b) the health, safety, and well-being of persons living with dementia, their families, and care partners; and 

c) the health and safety of care personnel;

d) access to education and training to families, care partners, about dementia, as well as how to support persons living with dementia

e) workforce recruitment, training, evaluation, and retention;

f) organizational structures, management systems, resources, policies, procedures and practices;

g) measures to support person-directed living (including direct involvement of the person living with dementia in care decisions, consistent with their abilities), equal access to care, and respecting the of privacy and dignity for all persons living with dementia;

h) policies to support equal access to services, and to provide care that respects and responds to an individual’s cultural, national, linguistic, religious, and sexual and gender identity;

i) building public awareness and education around myths and pre-conceived notions regarding persons living with dementia;

j) planning, management, provision and ongoing evaluation of individualized care plans

k) evaluation and continual improvement of system-level services to persons living with dementia; and

l) Basic modifications to the physical environment to support care, where possible.