Dementia Care Units in Nursing Homes
A nursing home which holds a current and valid operating license may establish special care units with the approval of the Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) and the Maryland Department of Health’s Office of Facilities Management and Development. A dementia care unit is a type of special care unit. A dementia care unit must meet the general requirements established for all special care units in
COMAR 10.07.02.23 and the requirements specific to dementia care units in
COMAR 10.07.02.25.
How does a nursing home request approval of a dementia care unit?
To request approval from OHCQ for a dementia care unit (DCU), the nursing home must meet all applicable requirements and complete the following steps:
Step 1: Notify OHCQ of its intention to establish an DCU. The notification may be made prior to developing and submitting the required documents for approval. To notify OHCQ, submit the
Dementia Care Unit Notification form.
Step 3: Submit the approval letter from the Office of Facilities Management and Development to OHCQ.
Step 4: The nursing home must notify OHCQ that it is prepared for an on-site survey by sending an email to Heather Reed at
[email protected].
Step 5: OHCQ will conduct unannounced onsite health and life safety code surveys to determine if the nursing home is in compliance with all applicable regulations for dementia care units. These two surveys may be conducted concurrently or separately.
If OHCQ determines that the nursing home is not in compliance with all applicable requirements, OHCQ will issue a Statement of Deficiencies to the nursing home. After the nursing home regains compliance, OHCQ will issue a revised nursing home license that notes the approved “Dementia Care Unit.” The nursing home license number remains the same.
If OHCQ determines that the nursing home is in compliance with all applicable requirements, OHCQ will issue a Notice of Compliance to the nursing home and a revised nursing home license that notes the approved “Dementia Care Unit.” The nursing home license number remains the same.
Preparing for the Onsite Survey
In preparing for OHCQ's unannounced on-site surveys of dementia care units, nursing homes may find it helpful to use OHCQ's surveyor tool as a checklist. Click on the link below to access the tool.
Dementia Care Unit Surveyor Tool.docx
Contact OHCQ
Contact the Long Term Care Team
File an Long Term Care Complaint
Phone: (410) 402-8201 | (877) 402-8219 | TTY (800) 735-2258
Fax: (410) 402-8234
Dawn Zulauf, Program Manager
Heather Reed, Deputy Director
