Teaching and maintaining behavior management skills in the nursing home

Understanding interaction in problematic dementia and social care encounters: Protocol for a micro-level study combining video-ethnography and Conversation Analysis (CA)

INTRODUCTION

It is well established that the actions and behaviour of dementia care workers are fundamental to the wellbeing of the people they care for. Not only do they deal with basic healthcare needs, but they also perform a vital psycho-social function by providing-through their regular presence-an underlying continuity for residents. This has been shown to improve well-being, particularly for those in the advanced stages of dementia. It has also been suggested that there are additional psycho-social benefits of such contact which can directly influence the need for anti-psychotic medication. However, unlike most other healthcare and medical settings, the specialised and often difficult interactions that dementia care workers handle every day have not yet been the subject of detailed micro-level analysis. This is particularly significant because much of the impact that care-workers have relates to the way in which they interact with the people they care for. Not having a clear understanding of how their interactions 'work' at the micro-level-particularly ones that are specific to dementia care settings, and that care workers report to be difficult or challenging-means that any training interventions that are developed may not resonate with their real-world experience, and ultimately run the risk of failing. This video-based observational study aims to provide a detailed micro-exploration of problematic and challenging interactions involving care-workers and people living with dementia.

SETTING AND METHODS

The study is based in the UK and will involve up to 20 dementia care staff and 60 people living with dementia. Fieldwork will be conducted in 5 dementia care home and community-based dementia day care settings using naturalistic observational methods (primarily video-ethnography). Data will be analysed using Conversation Analysis (CA).

An ethnography study exploring factors that influence social isolation in care home residents living with dementia and hearing loss

BACKGROUND

Hearing loss and dementia are highly prevalent conditions amongst older adults living in residential care. The consequences of living with these conditions may include social withdrawal and reduced communication opportunities. We sought to examine patterns of communication and interaction in residential care and explore resident, staff, and relative perspectives within two care homes located in Birmingham, UK. This enabled an understanding of how communication environments contributed to social isolation.

METHODS

This work used ethnography methodology to explore mechanisms that created and maintained social isolation in older adults living with dementia and hearing loss. A planning and engagement phase took place in four care homes. This was followed by an environmental audit, observations, and interviews. Data generated were analysed using Grounded Theory methods.

RESULTS

There were 33 participants (16 residents, 11 care staff, and six relatives) who took part in the observations and interviews. Residents experienced social isolation through lack of meaningful conversation with others and being misunderstood. Additionally, observations of residents' interactions informed the overall findings. A Grounded Theory model was employed to explain the core phenomenon of social isolation. The main contributors were internal and external barriers to communication, and reduced opportunities for meaningful conversation.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a wide range of social isolation that care home residents experience. This was not always associated with the severity of hearing loss but rather communication ability. Simple interventions such as staff dining with residents and focussing on improving communication could reduce social isolation within residential care settings.

Scoping Review on Educational Programs for Medical Professionals on the Management of Acute Agitation

BACKGROUND

Agitation is a common reason for psychiatric consultation in the general hospital. The consultation-liaison (CL) psychiatrist is often tasked with teaching the medical team how to manage agitation.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this scoping review is to explore what resources the CL psychiatrist has for educational tools on teaching about agitation management. Given the frequency with which CL psychiatrists help with on-the-ground management of agitation, we hypothesized that there would be a scarcity of educational resources to teach front-line providers how to manage agitation.

METHODS

Following current Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a scoping review was conducted. The literature search focused on the electronic databases MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase (Embase.com), The Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Cochrane Methodology Register), PsycInfo (EbscoHost), Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) (EbscoHost), and Web of Science. Using Covidence software, after screening for titles and abstracts, full texts were screened independently and in duplicate according to our inclusion criteria. For data extraction, we created a predefined set of criteria according to which each article was analyzed. We then grouped the articles in the full-text review according to which patient population a curriculum was designed for.

RESULTS

The search yielded a total of 3250 articles. After removing duplicates and reviewing procedures, we included 51 articles. Data extraction captured article type and details; educational program information (staff training, web modules, instructor led seminar); learner population; patient population; and setting. The curricula were further divided based on their target patient population, specifically the acute psychiatric patient (n = 10), the general medical patient (n = 9), and the patient with a major neurocognitive disorder such as dementia or traumatic brain injury (n = 32). Learner outcomes included staff comfort, confidence, skills, and knowledge. Patient outcomes included measurements of agitation or violence using validated scales, PRN medication use, and restraint use.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite there being numerous agitation curricula in existence, we found that a large majority of these educational programs were done for patients with major neurocognitive disorders in the long-term care setting. This review highlights the gap in education related to agitation management for both patients and providers in the general medical setting, as less than 20% of total studies are focused on this population. The CL psychiatrist plays a critical role in assisting in agitation management in this setting, which often requires collaboration between technicians, nurses, and nonpsychiatric providers. It calls into question whether the lack of educational programs makes the implementation of management interventions more difficult and less effective, even with the assistance of the CL psychiatrist.

Psychometric Properties of Instruments Measuring Dyadic Communication and Environment in Dementia Care: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

A valid and reliable assessment of dementia dyadic communication and environment is essential to understand and facilitate social interaction and quality care. This review described the characteristics and evaluated psychometric properties of instruments that assess dyadic communication and environment between persons living with dementia and their caregivers.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline. Literature published until June 30, 2021, was searched. Ten psychometric properties and the ratio of sample size to the number of items were evaluated using the Psychometric Assessment for Self-report and Observational Tool.

RESULTS

A total of 3,708 scholarly records was identified, and 24 eligible instruments from 48 scholarly records were evaluated. Twenty-two instruments assessed dyadic communication, and 2 assessed both dyadic communication and environment. Eighteen instruments were developed to assess task-related communication and 15 for paid (professional) caregivers. All instruments were scored as low psychometric quality (score range = 0-7). Behavioral Observation Scoring System was scored the highest (total score = 7), followed by Dyadic Dementia Coding System, Grid for observation of physical and verbal behaviors of caregiver and resident, and Trouble-Indicating Behaviors and Repair (total score = 6). These instruments had low psychometric evidence for internal consistency, content validity, and structural validity.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Existing instruments are in the early stages of development and validation in dementia population. Further testing is needed in diverse communication types in paid and unpaid dementia caregiver populations.

Administration approaches of nursing assistants in hospitals: a scoping review

OBJECTIVES

The administration of nursing assistants (NAs) is closely associated with patient outcomes, but studies evaluating intrahospital administration of NAs are limited. This study aimed to identify existing literature on intrahospital NAs' administration approaches.

DESIGN

Scoping review.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, ProQuest, CNKI, APA PsycInfo, Wanfang Med, SinoMed, Ovid Emcare, NICE, AHRQ, CADTH, JBI EBP and Cochrane DSR were searched for articles published between January 2011 and March 2022.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

Qualitative, quantitative or mixed-method studies and evidence syntheses that evaluate administration approaches, models and appraisal tools of intrahospital NAs were included.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Two independent reviewers conducted search, data selection and data extraction according to Joanna Briggs Institute guidance and methodology for scoping review. The quality of included studies was assessed using Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool or AMSTAR V.2. Data were synthesised using narrative methods and frequency effect size analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-six studies were eligible, with acceptable quality. We identified 1 administration model, 9 administration methods, 15 educational programmes and 7 appraisal tools from the included studies. The frequency effect size analysis yielded 15 topics of the main focus at four levels, suggesting that included articles were mainly (33%) focused on the competency of NAs, and the lectures were the most (80%) used strategy in quality improvement projects. Evidence from the studies was of low-to-moderate quality, indicating huge gaps between evidence-based research and management practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Practical intrahospital administration approaches were revealed, and fifteen primarily focused topics were identified. We should explore this area more thoroughly using structured frameworks and standardised methodology. This scoping review will help managers find more effective ways to improve the quality of care. Researchers may focus more on evidence-based practice in NA administration using the 15 topics as a breakthrough.

Pilot Testing of the Promoting Positive Care Interactions Intervention in Assisted Living

The current study aimed to test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the Promoting Positive Care Interactions (PPCI) intervention designed to establish positive care interactions between staff and residents in assisted living (AL) using an online approach. PPCI was implemented in one AL community using a single group pre-/posttest design; 17 care staff were recruited from the memory care unit. Delivery, receipt, and enactment of the PPCI were assessed for feasibility. Change in staff outcomes and facility outcomes were examined for preliminary efficacy. The four steps of the PPCI were implemented as intended with 100% staff exposure to education and considerable staff engagement in weekly mentoring sessions. Although there was an improvement in AL environment and policy, no significant changes were observed in staff outcomes. Future testing of the PPCI should include a longer timeline and explore a hybrid model that includes online education and in-person mentoring and coaching of staff to improve care interactions. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(8), 17-25.].

Are Interventions for Formal Caregivers Effective for Improving Dementia Care? A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews

Background and Objectives

Several systematic reviews exist that examine the efficacy of educational interventions in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) designed to improve formal caregivers' knowledge and skills and/or the outcomes of persons living with dementia. The aim of this article is to summarize existing systematic reviews to assess the effectiveness of educational interventions tested in RCTs and directed at formal caregivers.

Research Design and Methods

Smith et al.'s methodology guided this systematic review of systematic reviews. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and the A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2) for quality appraisals. Reviews were included if they contained interventions with an RCT design that focused on changing staff behavior and/or practice toward persons living with dementia, in any setting and for any health care discipline.

Results

We identified six systematic reviews, one rated as high-quality on the AMSTAR 2. Most interventions were directed at nursing staff, in long-term care facilities, focused on agitation, and were atheoretical. There is insufficient evidence to guide implementation of currently tested interventions; however, training in communication skills, person-centered care, and dementia-care mapping with supervision show promise for improving agitation.

Discussion and Implications

There's a critical need for additional research with well-designed RCTs, and clear reporting of protocols and findings to inform the field on how best to train and support the workforce. Although there is no conclusive evidence on what interventions are most effective, it could be argued that providing training using interventions with modest evidence of impact is better than no training at all until the evidence base is strengthened.

Factors associated with residents’ responsive behaviours towards staff in long-term care homes: A systematic review

Background and Objectives

When staff experience responsive behaviors from residents, this can lead to decreased quality of work-life and lower quality of care in long-term care homes. We synthesised research on factors associated with resident responsive behaviours directed towards care staff and characteristics of interventions to reduce the behaviours.

Research Design and Methods

We conducted a mixed-methods systematic review with quantitative and qualitative research. We searched 12 bibliographic databases and “grey” literature, using two keywords (long-term care, responsive behaviours) and their synonyms. Pairs of reviewers independently completed screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment. We developed a coding scheme using the ecological model as an organising structure and prepared narrative summaries for each factor.

Results

From 86 included studies (57 quantitative, 28 qualitative, 1 mixed methods), multiple factors emerged, such as staff training background (individual level); staff approaches to care (interpersonal level); leadership and staffing resources (institutional level); and racism and patriarchy (societal level). Quantitative and qualitative results each provided key insights, such as qualitative results pertaining to leadership responses to reports of behaviours, and quantitative findings on the impact of staff approaches to care on behaviours. Effects of interventions (n=14) to reduce the behaviours were inconclusive.

Discussion and Implications

We identified the need for enhanced understanding of the interrelationships among factors associated with resident responsive behaviours towards staff and processes leading to the behaviours. To address these gaps and to inform theory-based effective interventions for preventing or mitigating responsive behaviours, we suggest intervention studies with systematic process evaluations.

The quality of patient-nurse communication perceived before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian pilot study

Background and Aim of the work.

Therapeutic communication is essential for assessing the quality of patients’ care. The present study aimed to assess how the forced use of the mask influenced the communication before and during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Methods.

An online questionnaire was administered including two socio-demographic items, such as sex, as male and female, and role, as nurse or patient, and the Quality of Communication Questionnaire (QOC) for twice, referring to the period before and during the pandemic.

Results.

178 subjects participated in the study, of which 60 (33.7%) were patients and 118 (66.3%) were nurses. During the pandemic, patients reported no significant differences in the perception of the quality of nurse-patient communication. While nurses recorded a lower perception of communication quality during the pandemic period than before.

Conclusions.

The patient willingly accepted the use of the face mask unlike nurses considered it a further obstacle to an effective communication between nurse-patient. However, it could be considered the emotional and caring overload that each nurse had stored during the Covid-19 pandemic, in addition to the fear of contagion that had gripped the lives of nurses on a daily basis.

Strengthening International Research in Long-Term Care: Recommended Common Data Elements to Support Clinical Staff Training

The purpose of this study is to develop candidate common data element (CDE) items related to clinical staff training in long-term care (LTC) homes that can be used to enable international comparative research. This paper is part of the WE-THRIVE (Worldwide Elements to Harmonize Research in Long-Term Care Living Environments) group's initiative which aims to improve international academic collaboration. We followed best practices to develop CDEs by conducting a literature review of clinical staff (i.e., Regulated Nurses, Health Care Aides) training measures, and convening a subgroup of WE-THRIVE experts to review the literature review results to develop suitable CDEs. The international expert panel discussed and critically reflected on the current knowledge gaps from the literature review results. The panel proposed three candidate CDEs which focused on the presence of and the measurement of training. These three proposed CDEs seek to facilitate international research as well as assist in policy and decision-making regarding LTC homes worldwide. This study is a critical first step to develop candidate CDE items to measure staff training internationally. Further work is required to get feedback from other researchers about the proposed CDEs, and assess the feasibility of these CDEs in high and low resourced settings.

Effects of an Educational Program for Professional Caregivers on Behavioral Alterations in Nursing Home Residents: Pilot Study

This pilot study aims to analyze the effectiveness of a type of non-pharmacological intervention such as the educating and training of professional caregivers on behavioral alterations and prescription of psychotropic drugs of older adults in nursing homes. One hundred and forty-five people from two nursing homes were randomized to either treatment (educational training program for healthcare professionals) or a no-treatment group. Twenty-two professional caregivers in the experimental group received 20 h of a training program. Five data collection points were collected (pre and post, and three follow-ups, all six months apart). Intervention consisted of the behavioral alterations and psychopharmacological treatment. The analysis of variance for repeated measures showed significant differences in the time-group interaction for the educational program's effectiveness in reducing behavior alterations and psycho-pharmaceuticals' record. The results show that an improvement in the educating and training of professional caregivers can reduce behavioral alterations (F3,407 = 9.29, p < 0.001, η2= 0.063) and prescription of psychotropic drugs (F2,10 = 18.90, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.117). In addition, these effects are maintained over time. Educating health professionals on ways to care for residents who present behavioral alterations may be one alternative for improving the quality of care that residents receive. Non-pharmacological interventions, besides being individualized and adapted to the needs and experiences of individuals, achieve effects that last longer at low cost. An educational program shows new alternatives to pharmacological intervention, achieving a reduction in behavioral alterations without the costs and effects that psychopharmaceuticals entail.

Health workers perception on telemedicine in management of neuropsychiatric symptoms in long-term care facilities: Two years follow-up

The management of neuropsychiatric symptoms is a challenge in long-term care facilities. Our objective was to assess the perception of telemedicine, as a useful tool to connect staff to specialized units. In this multicenter prospective study, 90 patients from ten facilities benefited from 180 sessions over two years. The primary outcome was the perception of telemedicine evaluated through semi-structured interviews at baseline and two years later. Our results revealed positive perceptions of telemedicine, confirmed after two years of real-life experience with its use. Not only do staff members believe that telemedicine is not a downgraded version of medicine, but they also believe that it could improve the quality of care. They expressed a very positive sense of recognition of their professional qualifications and indicated their need to be involved in change processes to ensure successful implementation and better adherence to telemedicine as a service.

Improving mental health and reducing antipsychotic use in people with dementia in care homes: the WHELD research programme including two RCTs

Background

The effective management of agitation and other neuropsychiatric and behavioural symptoms in people with dementia is a major challenge, particularly in care home settings, where dementia severity is higher and there is limited training and support for care staff. There is evidence for the value of staff training and the use of psychosocial approaches; however, no intervention currently exists that combines these elements into an intervention that is fit for purpose and effective in these settings based on evidence from a randomised controlled trial.

Objective

The objective was to develop and evaluate a complex intervention to improve well-being, reduce antipsychotic use and improve quality of life in people with dementia in care homes through person-centred care, management of agitation and non-drug approaches.

Design

This was a 5-year programme that consisted of six work packages. Work package 1 consisted of two systematic reviews of personalised psychosocial interventions for behavioural and psychological symptoms for people with dementia in care homes. Work package 2 consisted of a metasynthesis of studies examining implementation of psychosocial interventions, in addition to developing a draft Well-being and Health for people with Dementia (WHELD) programme. Work package 3 consisted of a factorial study of elements of the draft WHELD programme in 16 care homes. Work package 4 involved optimisation of the WHELD programme based on work package 3 data. Work package 5 involved a multicentre randomised controlled trial in 69 care homes, which evaluated the impact of the optimised WHELD programme on quality of life, agitation and overall neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with dementia. Work package 6 focused on dissemination of the programme.

Setting

This programme was carried out in care homes in the UK.

Participants

Participants of this programme were people with dementia living in care homes, and the health and care professionals providing treatment and care in these settings.

Results

Work package 1: reviews identified randomised controlled trials and qualitative evidence supporting the use of psychosocial approaches to manage behavioural symptoms, but highlighted a concerning lack of evidence-based training manuals in current use. Work package 2: the meta-analysis identified key issues in promoting the use of interventions in care homes. The WHELD programme was developed through adaptation of published approaches. Work package 3: the factorial trial showed that antipsychotic review alone significantly reduced antipsychotic use by 50% (odds ratio 0.17, 95% confidence interval 0.05 to 0.60). Antipsychotic review plus social interaction significantly reduced mortality (odds ratio 0.36, 95% confidence interval 0.23 to 0.57), but this group showed significantly worse outcomes in behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia than the group receiving neither antipsychotic review nor social interaction (mean difference 7.37 symptoms, 95% confidence interval 1.53 to 13.22 symptoms). This detrimental impact was reduced when combined with social interaction (mean difference –0.44 points, 95% confidence interval –4.39 to 3.52 points), but with no significant benefits for agitation. The exercise intervention significantly improved neuropsychiatric symptoms (mean difference –3.58 symptoms, 95% confidence interval –7.08 to –0.09 symptoms) but not depression (mean difference –1.21 points, 95% confidence interval –4.35 to 1.93 points). Qualitative work with care staff provided additional insights into the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention. Work package 4: optimisation of the WHELD programme led to a final version that combined person-centred care training with social interaction and pleasant activities. The intervention was adapted for delivery through a ‘champion’ model. Work package 5: a large-scale, multicentre randomised controlled trial in 69 care homes showed significant benefit to quality of life, agitation and overall neuropsychiatric symptoms, at reduced overall cost compared with treatment as usual. The intervention conferred a statistically significant improvement in quality of life (Dementia Quality of Life Scale – Proxy z-score of 2.82, mean difference 2.54, standard error of measurement 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.81 to 4.28, Cohen’s d effect size of 0.24; p = 0.0042). There were also statistically significant benefits in agitation (Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory z-score of 2.68, mean difference –4.27, standard error of measurement 1.59, 95% confidence interval –7.39 to –1.15, Cohen’s d effect size of 0.23; p = 0.0076) and overall neuropsychiatric symptoms (Neuropsychiatric Inventory – Nursing Home version z-score of 3.52, mean difference –4.55, standard error of measurement 1.28, 95% confidence interval –7.07 to –2.02, Cohen’s d of 0.30; p < 0.001). The WHELD programme contributed to significantly lower health and social care costs than treatment as usual (cost difference –£4740, 95% confidence interval –£6129 to –£3156). Focus groups were conducted with 47 staff up to 12 months after the end of work package 5, which demonstrated sustained benefits. Work package 6: the outputs of the programme were translated into general practitioner workshops and a British Medical Journal e-learning module, an updated national best practice guideline and a portfolio of lay and care home outreach activities.

Limitations

Residents with dementia were not involved in the qualitative work.

Conclusions

The WHELD programme is effective in improving quality of life and reducing both agitation and overall neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with dementia in care homes. It provides a structured training and support intervention for care staff, with lower overall costs for resident care than treatment as usual.

Future work

It will be important to consider the long-term sustainability of the WHELD programme and cost-effective means of long-term implementation.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN40313497 and ISRCTN62237498.

Funding

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Programme Grants for Applied Research programme and will be published in full in Programme Grants for Applied Research; Vol. 8, No. 6. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Implementing Microlearning in Nursing Homes: Implications for Policy and Practice in Person-Centered Dementia Care

The aim of this study was to develop and pilot a 52-week Microlearning curriculum on person-centered dementia care in nine nursing homes. The goal was to evaluate the usability and application of Microlearning as a tool to increase staff knowledge and improve perceptions of people with dementia, thus increasing their ability to deliver person-centered care and their job satisfaction. Findings indicate that participants enjoyed the flexible, 24/7 access to training and found that the immediacy of the format encouraged them to apply their learning directly to practice. Staff knowledge and attitudes toward people with dementia were positively impacted by the training, as was job satisfaction. Further research to test the efficacy of Microlearning compared to usual training is warranted, as are coordinated policy development efforts that can guide the implementation of best practices in the use of Microlearning as an innovative training modality in nursing homes.

A systematic review of the impact of person-centred care interventions on the behaviour of staff working in dementia care

AIM

To examine the content, focus, and effectiveness of person-centred care (PCC) interventions aimed at increasing staff PCC behaviour in health and social care settings for people with dementia.

DESIGN

Systematic search and narrative synthesis of quantitative data.

DATA SOURCES

PsychINFO, Medline, EMBASE, Web of knowledge, CINAHL, ASSIA, and BNI were searched from inception to 5 November 2016.

REVIEW METHODS

All records retrieved were screened using predetermined eligibility criteria. Quality assessment was performed with the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool (EPHPP).

RESULTS

A total of 4,367 records were screened and 33 studies examining the impact of PCC interventions were included. Eight different categories of PCC intervention were identified, with seven of these having at least some evidence to support their effectiveness in increasing staff PCC behaviour.

CONCLUSION

The range of interventions and outcome measures identified in this review highlight different ways PCC behaviour can be demonstrated by staff and the range of interventions that can be used to enhance PCC staff behaviour. In future, more rigorously controlled research comparing the relative effectiveness of these interventions will support nursing facilities and staff to choose appropriate interventions to support them in enhancing PCC.

IMPACT

This study addressed the health priority of increasing PCC for people with dementia. It found preliminary evidence that seven of the eight intervention types identified are effective at increasing staff PCC behaviour in health and social care settings for people with dementia.

Positive Culture Change in Long-Term Care: A Procedure to Enhance Speech-Language Pathologist–Certified Nursing Assistant Collaboration

Background

The majority of residents in long-term care (LTC) facilities have cognitive communication impairments impacting their ability to communicate basic wants and needs to caregivers, particularly certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are the most qualified individuals to educate CNAs about residents' communication behaviors; however, there is limited literature that outlines specific, evidence-based procedures for CNAs and residents in the LTC environment. The purpose of this article is to describe such a procedure, including 2 case examples, within a framework of positive culture change.

Method

This clinical focus article aims to describe the details and benefits of providing professional support for CNAs during a communication plan intervention. Then, the article will discuss the association between professional support and positive culture change in LTC. Professional support involves valuing the experience and time CNAs spend with residents, consistently requesting feedback regarding trained communication strategies, educating, demonstrating, and problem-solving with CNAs, as well as acknowledging CNAs' use of communication strategies during daily care with residents.

Conclusions

SLPs can serve as trendsetters in establishing a positive, functional organizational culture in LTC by providing professional support to CNAs. This article outlined an evidence-based procedure designed for SLPs working in the LTC environment to contribute to such positive culture change.

The Hyperactivity-Impulsivity-Irritiability-Disinhibition-Aggression-Agitation Domain in Alzheimer's Disease: Current Management and Future Directions

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) afflict the vast majority of patients with dementia, especially those with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In clinical settings, patients with BPSD most often do not present with just one symptom. Rather, clusters of symptoms commonly co-occur and can, thus, be grouped into behavioral domains that may ultimately be the result of disruptions in overarching neural circuits. One major BPSD domain routinely identified across patients with AD is the hyperactivity-impulsivity-irritiability-disinhibition-aggression-agitation (HIDA) domain. The HIDA domain represents one of the most difficult sets of symptoms to manage in AD and accounts for much of the burden for caregivers and hospital staff. Although many studies recommend non-pharmacological treatments for HIDA domain symptoms as first-line, they demonstrate little consensus as to what these treatments should be and are often difficult to implement clinically. Certain symptoms within the HIDA domain also do not respond adequately to these treatments, putting patients at risk and necessitating adjunct pharmacological intervention. In this review, we summarize the current literature regarding non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions for the HIDA domain and provide suggestions for improving treatment. As epigenetic changes due to both aging and AD cause dysfunction in drug-targeted receptors, we propose that HIDA domain treatments could be enhanced by adjunct strategies that modify these epigenetic alterations and, thus, increase efficacy and reduce side effects. To improve the implementation of non-pharmacological approaches in clinical settings, we suggest that issues regarding inadequate resources and guidance for implementation should be addressed. Finally, we propose that increased monitoring of symptom and treatment progression via novel sensor technology and the "DICE" (describe, investigate, create, and evaluate) approach may enhance both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for the HIDA domain.

Embedding caregiver support in community-based services for older adults: A multi-site randomized trial to test the Adult Day Service Plus Program (ADS Plus)

There are over five million people in the United States living with dementia. Most live at home and are cared for by family. These family caregivers often assume care responsibilities without education about the disease, skills training, or support, and in turn become at risk for depression, burden, and adverse health outcomes when compared to non-dementia caregivers. Despite over 200 caregiver interventions with proven benefits, many caregivers lack access to these programs. One approach to enhance access is to embed evidence-based caregiver support programs in existing community-based services for people with dementia such as adult day services (ADS). Here we describe the protocol for an embedded pragmatic trial designed to augment standard ADS known as ADS Plus. ADS Plus provides family caregivers with support via education, referrals, and problem-solving techniques over 12 months, and is delivered on-site by existing ADS staff. Embedding a program in ADS requires an understanding of outcomes and implementation processes in that specific context. Thus, we deploy a hybrid design involving a cluster randomized two-group trial to evaluate treatment effects on caregiver wellbeing, ADS utilization, as well as nursing home placement. We describe implementation practices in 30 to 50 geographically and racially/ethnically diverse participating sites. Clinical trial registration #: NCT02927821.

A staff training intervention to improve communication between people living with dementia and health-care professionals in hospital: the VOICE mixed-methods development and evaluation study

Background

Twenty-five per cent of hospital beds are occupied by a person living with dementia. Dementia affects expressive communication and understanding. Health-care professionals report a lack of communication skills training.

Objectives

To identify teachable, effective strategies for communication between health-care professionals and people living with dementia, and to develop and evaluate a communication skills training course.

Design

We undertook a systematic literature review, video-recorded 41 encounters between staff and people with dementia, and used conversation analysis to investigate communication problems and solutions. We designed a communication skills training course using coproduction and multiple pedagogic approaches. We ran a pilot, followed by six courses for health-care professionals. We measured knowledge, confidence and communication behaviours before, immediately after and 1 month after the course, and undertook interviews with participants and managers. Behaviours were measured using blind-rated videos of simulations.

Setting

General hospital acute geriatric medical wards and two hospital clinical skills centres.

Participants

We video-recorded 26 people with dementia and 26 professionals. Ten experts in dementia care, education, simulation and communication contributed to intervention development. Six health-care professionals took part in a pilot course, and 45 took part in the training.

Results

The literature review identified 26 studies describing 10 communication strategies, with modest evidence of effectiveness. Health-care professional-initiated encounters followed a predictable phase structure. Problems were apparent in requests (with frequent refusals) and in closings. Success was more likely when requests were made directly, with high entitlement (authority to ask) and with lowered contingencies (made to sound less difficult, by minimising the extent or duration of the task, asking patients ‘to try’, offering help or proposing collaborative action). Closings were more successful if the health-care professional announced the end of the task, made a specific arrangement, body language matched talk, and through use of ‘closing idioms’. The training course comprised 2 days, 1 month apart, using experiential learning, including lectures, video workshops, small group discussions, simulations (with specially trained actors) and reflections. We emphasised the incorporation of previous expertise and commitment to person-centred care. Forty-four participants returned for the second training day and 43 provided complete evaluation data. Knowledge and confidence both increased. Some behaviours, especially relating to closings, were more commonly used after training. The course was rated highly in interviews, especially the use of simulations, real-life video clips and interdisciplinary learning. Participants reported that they found the methods useful in practice and were using them 1 month after the course finished.

Limitations

Data were from people with moderate to severe dementia, in an acute hospital, during health-care professional-initiated interactions. Analysis was limited to problems and solutions that were likely to be ‘trainable’. Actors required careful preparation to simulate people with dementia. Communication skills training course participants were volunteers, unlikely to be representative of the general workforce, who displayed high levels of baseline knowledge, confidence and skills. Before-and-after evaluations, and qualitative interviews, are prone to bias.

Conclusions

Requests and closings pose particular difficulties for professionals communicating with people with dementia. We identified solutions to these problems and incorporated them into communication skills training, which improved knowledge, confidence and some communication behaviours. Simulation was an effective training modality.

Future work

Further research should investigate a wider range of health, social care and family carers. Conversation analysis should be used to investigate other aspects of health-care communication.

Study registration

The systematic literature review is registered as CRD42015023437.

Funding

The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.

The impact of nurse and care staff education on the functional ability and quality of life of people living with dementia in aged care: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Educational initiatives can improve care delivery and the experience of living in residential aged care for people with dementia. This review aimed to determine the impact of nurse and care staff education on measures of functional ability and quality of life for older people with dementia living in care homes.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

Search of on-line databases in English between January 2000 and January 2017.

REVIEW METHODS

Three reviewers used data extraction and critical appraisal tools of the Joanna Briggs Institute to determine methodological quality of research.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Thirty-two studies met the initial inclusion criteria and 13 were retrieved for full appraisal. There was limited impact of nurse and care staff education on residents' agitation, anxiety, mood and quality of life. The most consistent improvement in functional ability due to education may be in the execution of activities of daily living. More successful programs included multi-faceted components (e.g. hands on support, clinical auditing) in conjunction with didactic teaching. There is a need for more rigorous and well-designed studies to test interventions.

Telemedicine for the management of neuropsychiatric symptoms in long-term care facilities: the DETECT study, methods of a cluster randomised controlled trial to assess feasibility

INTRODUCTION

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) in elderly patients with dementia are frequent in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and are associated with adverse events. Telemedicine is an emerging way to provide consultation and care to dependent LTCF residents who may not have easy access to specialty services. Several studies have evaluated telemedicine for dementia care but to date, no study has evaluated its impact in the management of NPS in patients with dementia living in LTCF.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The Dementia in long-term care facilities: Telemedicine for the management of neuropsychiatric symptoms (DETECT) study is a 24-month multicentre prospective cluster randomised controlled study with two arms: a control arm (usual care) and an intervention arm (telemedicine consultation) for NPSs management. DETECT enrolled 20 LTCFs. The primary outcome is based on the acceptability of the telemedicine among the LTCF staff which will be assessed in the intervention group by quantitative and qualitative indicators. The rate of unscheduled hospitalisations and/or consultations due to disruptive NPSs, psychotropic drug use and health costs will be described in both groups. Approximately, 200 patients are expected to be recruited.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study protocol was approved and sponsored by the French Ministry of Health. The study received ethical approval from the Toulouse University Hospital Institutional Review Board. We will communicate the final results to the public via conferences and results will also be submitted for publication in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02472015.

Organizational and environmental factors associated with transfers of nursing home residents to emergency departments

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The emergency department transfer (EDT) rate of residents from nursing homes (NHs) to emergency departments is an important public health issue. The purpose of this study was to examine whether organizational and geographical factors were associated with EDT among older adults living in NHs.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis using information from patients' medical charts regarding hospitalization in the last 12 months. Information came from the baseline data of the IQUARE clinical trial.

PARTICIPANTS

5926 residents (86.0 years old, standard deviation, SD = 2.9), from 175 NHs with available data on EDT.

OUTCOME MEASURE

The EDT rate was estimated for each NH, from the number of residents who were transferred to an emergency department (one transfer or more) in the previous 12 months.

RESULTS

1119 (18.9%, SD = 11.5) residents were transferred to an emergency department at least once during the past year. In adjusted multiple linear regression, NHs located in rural areas had an EDT rate significantly lower than those in urban areas (confidence interval, 95% CI - 10.15, - 2.16, p = 0.003), with an absolute EDT rate of 16.4% (SD = 9.1) versus 20.4% (SD = 12.5); pharmacy for internal use was significantly associated with a lower EDT rate compared with the NHs with no PUI [11.9% (SD = 9.2); 19.1% (SD = 10.1), 95% CI - 16.33, - 3.09, p = 0.004] and the implementation of a personalized care project in NHs was significantly associated with a lower EDT rate [18.6% (SD = 11.4), 22.4% (SD = 12.4), 95% CI - 11.67, - 0.63, p = 0.03].

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that a structured plan of care, a strategy to improve medication and being located in rural areas reduce the EDT rate in NH residents.

IQUARE STUDY TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01703689.

Using an Interactive Video Simulator to Improve Certified Nursing Assistants' Dressing Assistance and Nursing Home Residents' Dressing Performance: A Pilot Study

This pilot study examined the initial effects and estimated effect size of a computer-based simulation education program on certified nursing assistants' level of assistance when dressing nursing home residents with dementia and on residents' dressing performance. Nine dyads, assigned to either the experimental or control group, completed the study. Both groups received a traditional 1-hour education module delivered by a research assistant. The experimental group was then instructed to undertake an additional 2-hour intervention using a video simulator that enabled nursing assistants to practice level of assistance skills. The appropriateness of dressing assistance from nursing assistants and residents' dressing performance was measured before and 6 weeks after the intervention. The results showed that the two groups did not significantly differ in either appropriate levels of dressing assistance (P = .42) or residents' dressing performance (P = .38). A lack of effort by some assistants to properly assist residents and low statistical power may explain the lack of significance. The effect sizes of the experimental intervention on appropriate levels of dressing assistance and resident dressing performance were 0.69 and 0.89, respectively. Incorporating a strategy to improve motivation should be considered in future studies.

Interdisciplinary development and implementation of a dementia skills training program in a VA community living center: a pilot study

This pilot study investigates the usefulness of a dementia care training program developed by an interdisciplinary team to address problem behaviors associated with dementia. Staff members of a VA Community Living Center completed an 8-hour workshop covering fundamental knowledge about dementia and instruction in skills to use with patients through video, lecture, and role-plays. Measures on dementia knowledge and perceived self-efficacy were completed by staff members before and after the workshop. Results revealed increases in self-efficacy and knowledge, with particular gains in general knowledge of dementia and communicating with patients. Younger staff members scored higher on tests of knowledge at pre- and post-test, whereas staff members with more years of work experience rated their self-efficacy higher at post-test only. There was an associated decrease in assaultive behaviors by patients with dementia in the year this workshop was implemented. Results highlight the benefit of interdisciplinary collaboration in developing educational content and the value of providing staff training on managing dementia-related behaviors. Adjustments to this training program are discussed.

Impact of serious mental illness online training for certified nursing assistants in long term care

Certified nurse assistants (CNAs) spend the most staff time with nursing home residents, yet they receive little training in addressing the mental health needs of residents with serious mental illness (SMI). Forty CNAs from four long-term-care facilities took the online interactive CARES-^® Serious Mental Illness^™ training consisting of two modules guided by the Recovery Movement philosophy of care. Responses from pre-post testing, Likert-type items, and open-ended questions indicated that CNAs gained information, changed their perspectives, and had more confidence in dealing with SMI. Although there were minor concerns regarding length, clarity of content, and technical issues, CNAs found the online format acceptable and easy to use, and many said they would recommend the training. CARES Serious Mental Illness online training appears to be a viable way of helping CNAs address the mental health needs of long term care residents. Additional testing on CARES Serious Mental Illness is planned.

Effects of the Advanced Innovative Internet-Based Communication Education Program on Promoting Communication Between Nurses and Patients With Dementia

BACKGROUND

Effective communication between nurses and patients with dementia promotes the quality of patient care by improving the identification of patient needs and by reducing the miscommunication-related frustration of patients and nurses.

PURPOSE

This study evaluates the effects of an advanced innovative Internet-based communication education (AIICE) program on nurses' communication knowledge, attitudes, frequency of assessing patient communication capacity, and communication performance in the context of care for patients with dementia. In addition, this study attempts to evaluate the indirect effects of this program on outcomes for patients with dementia, including memory and behavior-related problems and depressive symptoms.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental research design with a one-group repeated measure was conducted. Convenience sampling was used to recruit nurses from long-term care facilities in southern Taiwan. Data were analyzed using general estimating equations to compare changes over time across three points: baseline, fourth-week posttest, and 16th-week posttest. One hundred five nurses completed the AIICE program and the posttest surveys.

RESULTS

The findings indicate that nurses' communication knowledge, frequency in assessing patients' communication capacity, and communication performance had improved significantly over the baseline by either the 4th- or 16th-week posttest (p < .01). However, communication attitude showed no significant improvement in the posttest survey (p = .40). Furthermore, the findings indicate that the memory and behavior-related problems and the depressive symptoms of patients had decreased significantly by the 16th-week posttest (p = .05).

CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

This study showed that the AIICE program improves nurses' communication knowledge, frequency to assess patients' communication capacity, and communication performance and alleviates the memory and behavior-related problems and depressive symptoms of patients. The continuous communication training of nurses using the AIICE program is thus recommended.

Making meaningful improvements to direct care worker training through informed policy: Understanding how care setting structure and culture matter

Well-intentioned policy governing the training of direct care workers (DCWs) who serve older persons, in practice, may become merely a compliance issue for organizations rather than a meaningful way to improve quality of care. This study investigates the relationships between best practices in DCW training and the structure and culture of long term support service (LTSS) organizations. Using a mixed-methods approach to analyzing data from 328 licensed LTSS organizations in Pennsylvania, the findings suggest that public policy should address methods of training, not just content, and consider organizational variations in size, training evaluation practices, DCW integration, and DCW input into care planning. Effective training also incorporates support for organizations and supervisors as key aspects of DCWs' learning and working environment.

Effective strategies to motivate nursing home residents in oral care and to prevent or reduce responsive behaviors to oral care: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Poor oral health has been a persistent problem in nursing home residents for decades, with severe consequences for residents and the health care system. Two major barriers to providing appropriate oral care are residents' responsive behaviors to oral care and residents' lack of ability or motivation to perform oral care on their own.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of strategies that nursing home care providers can apply to either prevent/overcome residents' responsive behaviors to oral care, or enable/motivate residents to perform their own oral care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched the databases Medline, EMBASE, Evidence Based Reviews-Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and Web of Science for intervention studies assessing the effectiveness of eligible strategies. Two reviewers independently (a) screened titles, abstracts and retrieved full-texts; (b) searched key journal contents, key author publications, and reference lists of all included studies; and (c) assessed methodological quality of included studies. Discrepancies at any stage were resolved by consensus. We conducted a narrative synthesis of study results.

RESULTS

We included three one-group pre-test, post-test studies, and one cross-sectional study. Methodological quality was low (n = 3) and low moderate (n = 1). Two studies assessed strategies to enable/motivate nursing home residents to perform their own oral care, and to studies assessed strategies to prevent or overcome responsive behaviors to oral care. All studies reported improvements of at least some of the outcomes measured, but interpretation is limited due to methodological problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Potentially promising strategies are available that nursing home care providers can apply to prevent/overcome residents' responsive behaviors to oral care or to enable/motivate residents to perform their own oral care. However, studies assessing these strategies have a high risk for bias. To overcome oral health problems in nursing homes, care providers will need practical strategies whose effectiveness was assessed in robust studies.

Systematic review of systematic reviews of non-pharmacological interventions to treat behavioural disturbances in older patients with dementia. The SENATOR-OnTop series

OBJECTIVE

To provide an overview of non-pharmacological interventions for behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD).

DESIGN

Systematic overview of reviews.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL and PsycINFO (2009-March 2015).

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Systematic reviews (SRs) that included at least one comparative study evaluating any non-pharmacological intervention, to treat BPSD.

DATA EXTRACTION

Eligible studies were selected and data extracted independently by 2 reviewers.The AMSTAR checklist was used to assess the quality of the SRs.

DATA ANALYSIS

Extracted data were synthesised using a narrative approach.

RESULTS

38 SRs and 129 primary studies were identified, comprising the following categories of non-pharmacological interventions: (1) sensory stimulation interventions (25 SRs, 66 primary studies) that encompassed: shiatsu and acupressure, aromatherapy, massage/touch therapy, light therapy, sensory garden and horticultural activities, music/dance therapy, dance therapy, snoezelen multisensory stimulation therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; (2) cognitive/emotion-oriented interventions (13 SRs; 26 primary studies) that included cognitive stimulation, reminiscence therapy, validation therapy, simulated presence therapy; (3) behaviour management techniques (6 SRs; 22 primary studies); (4) Multicomponent interventions (3 SR; four primary studies); (5) other therapies (5 SRs, 15 primary studies) comprising exercise therapy, animal-assisted therapy, special care unit and dining room environment-based interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

A large number of non-pharmacological interventions for BPSD were identified. The majority of the studies had great variation in how the same type of intervention was defined and applied, the follow-up duration, the type of outcome measured, usually with modest sample size. Overall, music therapy and behavioural management techniques were effective for reducing BPSD.

Cognitive-behavioral treatment for depressed patients with Alzheimer's disease. An open trial

BACKGROUND

Depression has a high prevalence among patients with Alzheimer's disease, and it has a significant negative impact on their functioning. However, despite its significant impact and challenge, few treatment outcomes data are available to guide clinical care of depression among this population. We developed a cognitive-behavioral intervention to persons with AD. In this paper, we describe the intervention and results of an open trial evaluating its feasibility and utility.

SETTING

Dementia Unit.

SUBJECT

Alzheimer's disease patients.

METHODS

The treatment was administered over a period of three months with the implication of a caregiver. Dyads were followed for an additional three months in-person sessions. A selection of skills is offered, including education and self-awareness, coping self-statements, behavioral activation, problem-solving therapy, exercise, and caregiver education.

RESULTS

Nine participants were enrolled. Overall, patients and caregivers were satisfied with the treatment and reported that they benefited-in terms of depression, anxiety, and caregiver distress.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings are preliminaries and attention now needs to be turned to futher evaluation in a randomized clinical trial.

Effectiveness of person-centered care on people with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Person-centered care is a holistic and integrative approach designed to maintain well-being and quality of life for people with dementia, and it includes the elements of care, the individual, the carers, and the family.

Aim

A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of person-centered care for people with dementia.

Methods

Literature searches were undertaken using six databases including Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database, and KoreaMed using the following keywords: cognition disorder, dementia, person-centered care, patient-centered care, client-centered care, relationship-centered care, and dementia care. The searches were limited to interventional studies written in English and Korean and included randomized controlled studies and noncontrolled studies for people with dementia living in any setting.

Results

Nineteen interventional studies, including 3,985 participants, were identified. Of these, 17 studies were from long-term care facilities and two studies were from homecare settings. The pooled data from randomized controlled studies favored person-centered care in reducing agitation, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and depression and improving the quality of life. Subgroup analysis identified greater effectiveness of person-centered care when implemented for people with less severe dementia. For agitation, short-term interventions had a greater effect (standardized mean difference [SMD]: −0.434; 95% conference interval [CI]: −0.701 to −0.166) than long-term interventions (SMD: −0.098; 95% CI: −0.190 to 0.007). Individualized activities resulted in a significantly greater beneficial effect than standard care (SMD: 0.513; 95% CI: −0.994 to −0.032). However, long-term, staff education, and cultural change interventions had a greater effect on improving the quality of life for people with dementia (SMD: 0.191; 95% CI: 0.079 to 0.302).

Conclusion

This systematic review and meta-analysis provided evidence for person-centered care in clinical practice for people with dementia. Person-centered care interventions were shown to reduce agitation, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and depression and to improve the quality of life. Person-centered care interventions can effectively reduce agitation for a short term using intensive and activity-based intervention. However, an educational strategy that promotes learning and skill development of internal care staff is needed to enhance patient’s quality of life and to ensure the sustainability of the effects of behavioral problems. The feasibility and effectiveness of the intervention, the severity of patient disease, and intervention type and duration should be considered as part of an intervention design.

Systematic review of the effective components of psychosocial interventions delivered by care home staff to people with dementia

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to understand what elements of psychosocial interventions are associated with improved outcomes for people with dementia to inform implementation in care homes.

DESIGN

A systematic review of qualitative and quantitative intervention studies was undertaken.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR INCLUDED STUDIES

We included primary research studies evaluating psychosocial interventions that trained care home staff to deliver a specific intervention or that sought to change how staff delivered care to residents with dementia and reported staff and resident qualitative or quantitative outcomes.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, PsychINFO and EMBASE electronic databases and hand-searched references up to May 2016. Quality of included papers was rated independently by 2 authors, using operationalised checklists derived from standard criteria. We discussed discrepancies and reached consensus. We conducted a narrative synthesis of quantitative and a thematic synthesis of qualitative findings to find what was effective immediately and in sustaining change.

RESULTS

We identified 49 papers fulfilling predetermined criteria. We found a lack of higher quality quantitative evidence that effects could be sustained after psychosocial interventions finished with no evidence that interventions continued to work after 6 months. Qualitative findings suggest that staff valued interventions focusing on getting to know, understand and connect with residents with dementia. Successful elements of interventions included interactive training, post-training support, aiming to train most staff, retaining written materials afterwards and building interventions into routine care.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychosocial interventions can improve outcomes for staff and residents with dementia in care homes; however, many trial results are limited. Synthesis of qualitative findings highlight core components of interventions that staff value and feel improve care. These findings provide useful evidence to inform the development of sustainable, effective psychosocial interventions in care homes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42015017621.

Do interventions with staff in long-term residential facilities improve quality of care or quality for life people with dementia? A systematic review of the evidence

BACKGROUND

Common sense suggests and research indicates relationships between staff factors in residential dementia care and quality of life (QOL) for residents, with poor care increasing suffering. However, we do not have a coherent picture of which staff interventions have an impact on quality of care (QOC) or resident QOL.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of 20 years' peer-reviewed literature using Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, and the Cochrane, Campbell Collaboration identified 4,760 studies meriting full text review. Forty-six met the inclusion criteria, namely interventions in long-term facilities helping staff develop their capacity to provide better care and/or QOL for residents with dementia. Thirty-five other papers comprised an associated predictor review.

RESULTS

Conclusions from these limited data are further compromised because nine studies failed to measure effects on residents and only half assessed effects after the project team withdrew. Of these, excellent studies produced change over the medium (3-4 months) or longer term, including reduction in challenging behavior and restraint use but this applied only to a minority. A number of studies failed to measure effects on QOC, limiting conclusions about mechanisms underlying change.

CONCLUSION

In general, level of intervention required depended on the target. For outcomes like restraint use, structured education sessions with some support appear adequate. Programs to reduce pain require more support. For complicated issues like challenging behavior and increasing co-operation in showering, detailed, supportive, on-site interventions are required. Improvements in restraint and staff/resident interactions were the most promising findings. (Review registration number: PROSPERO 2014:CRD42014015224).

Practice Change Interventions in Long-Term Care Facilities: What Works, and Why?

Over the past three decades, there has been a notable increase in studies of practice change interventions in long-term care (LTC) settings. This review, based on a modified realist approach, addresses the following questions: What practice change intervention characteristics work? And, in what circumstances do they work and why? A modified realist approach was applied to identify and explain the interactions among context, mechanism, and outcome. We searched electronic databases and published literature for empirical studies of practice change interventions that (a) were conducted in LTC settings, (b) involved formal care staff members, and (c) reported a formal evaluation. Ninety-four articles met the inclusion criteria. Interventions that included only predisposing factors were least likely to be effective. Interventions that included reinforcing factors were most likely to produce sustained outcomes. We concluded that interventions aimed at practice change in LTC settings should include feasible and effective enabling and reinforcing factors.

The facilitators of communication with people with dementia in a care setting: an interview study with healthcare workers

Objectives: to describe the views of healthcare workers on the facilitators of communication with people with dementia in a care setting.

Design: thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews.

Setting: all participants were interviewed in their place of work.

Participants: sixteen healthcare workers whose daily work involves interacting with people with dementia.

Results: four overarching categories of themes were identified from the interviews that impact on communication: the attributes of a care worker, communication strategies used, organisational factors and the physical characteristics of the care environment.

Conclusion: many strategies used by healthcare workers to facilitate communication have not yet been studied in the research literature. Participants' views on training should be incorporated into future dementia training programmes.

Assessing approaches and barriers to reduce antipsychotic drug use in Florida nursing homes

OBJECTIVES

Antipsychotic medications have been federally regulated since 1987, yet research suggests they continue to be used inappropriately to alleviate behavioral symptoms associated with dementia. In 2012, the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid launched a new initiative to reduce antipsychotic medication in nursing homes by 15% nationally. The aim of this study was to examine qualitative data to explore strategies that have been implemented, to assess which strategies are evidence-based, and to make recommendations to improve upon practices to reduce antipsychotic medication use.

METHOD

A convenience sample of 276 nursing home professional staff members were surveyed about these topics using open-ended questions.

RESULTS

Theme-based content analysis yielded three main themes. The themes related to changes in practice included the following: (1) increased review of resident behavior and antipsychotic medication regimens; (2) reduction in antipsychotic medications or dosage; and (3) increased use of nonpharmacological interventions. The main themes relevant to needed assistance included the following: (1) education; (2) clinical support; and (3) increased financial resources and reimbursement.

DISCUSSION

Overall findings indicate that the majority of facilities are actively responding to the initiative, but challenges remain in education, finding mental health support, and in reimbursement.

"The educating nursing staff effectively (TENSE) study": design of a cluster randomized controlled trial

Background

Challenging behavior exhibited by people with dementia can have adverse outcomes, like stress, low morale, low work satisfaction and absenteeism for nursing staff in long-term care settings. Training nursing staff to manage challenging behavior may reduce its impact. Although much of the research into training nursing staff shows methodological limitations, several studies find some effect of training programs on knowledge about and on management of challenging behavior. Effects on stress or burnout are almost not found.

Methods/Design

The TENSE-study is a randomized controlled study on 18 nursing home units (9 control, 9 intervention) investigating the effects of a continuous educational program for nursing staff about managing challenging behavior. Nursing staff of intervention units receive the program, nursing staff of control units do not and continue usual care. The primary outcome is stress experienced by nursing staff (N = 135). Secondary outcomes are: emotional workload, work satisfaction, stress reactions at work and knowledge about challenging behaviour of nursing staff; and frequency of challenging behavior, quality of life and social engagement of residents (N = 135). Because there are many unknown factors influencing the effect of the training, a process evaluation to evaluate sampling-, implementation- and intervention quality as well as barriers and facilitators to implementation will also be included in the analysis. Nursing staff could not be blinded to the intervention, but were blinded for the outcomes.

Discussion

Strengths of this study are the (good) description of the intervention complemented by a process evaluation and the tailoring of the intervention to the wishes and needs of the nursing homes at any moment during the study. Sustaining the effects of the intervention by using follow up sessions is another strength. Possible drawbacks may be dropout because of the frailty of the elderly population and because nursing staff might move to another job during the study.

Trial registration

NTR (Dutch Trial Registration) number NTR3620

The disconnect between evidence and practice: a systematic review of person-centred interventions and training manuals for care home staff working with people with dementia

OBJECTIVE

The overall objective is to determine the availability of person-centred intervention and training manuals for dementia care staff with clinical trial evidence of efficacy.

DESIGN

Interventions were identified using a search of electronic databases, augmented by mainstream search engines, reference lists, hand searching for resources and consultation with an expert panel. The specific search for published manuals was complemented by a search for randomised control trials focussing on training and activity-based interventions for people with dementia in care homes. Manuals were screened for eligibility and rated to assess their quality, relevance and feasibility.

RESULTS

A meta-analysis of randomised control trials indicated that person-centred training interventions conferred significant benefit in improving agitation and reducing the use of antipsychotics. Each of the efficacious packages included a sustained period of joint working and supervision with a trained mental health professional in addition to an educational element. However, of the 170 manuals that were identified, 30 met the quality criteria and only four had been evaluated in clinical trials.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the availability of a small number of evidence-based training manuals, there is a widespread use of person-centred intervention and training manuals that are not evidence-based. Clearer guidance is needed to ensure that commissioned training and interventions are based on robust evidence.

Development of an instrument to measure staff-reported resident-to-resident elder mistreatment (R-REM) using item response theory and other latent variable models

OBJECTIVES

Although numerous studies have measured behaviors among individuals in congregate settings, few have focused on resident-to-resident elder mistreatment (R-REM). To our knowledge, there is no psychometrically developed measure of R-REM extant. The quantitative development of a measure of staff-reported R-REM is described.

METHODS

The design was a prevalent cohort study of residents of 5 long-term care facilities. The primary certified nursing assistant was interviewed about R-REM. Advanced measurement methods were used to develop a measure of R-REM.

RESULTS

The loadings on the general factor for the final 11-item scale were greater than those on the group factor except for the item "other physical behavior" (0.63 vs. 0.74), suggesting essential unidimensionality. Although the bifactor model fit was slightly better than that of the unidimensional model, the difference was trivial (bifactor comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.997, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.013, unidimensional CFI = 0.979, and RMSEA = 0.030). However, modest support was provided for use of verbal and physical subscales. The explained common variance statistics were 0.76 for the bifactor model compared with 0.63 for the unidimensional model.

DISCUSSION

The development of this R-REM measure will help to advance the measurement and ultimately evaluation of interventions associated with this important and under recognized problem facing residents in long-term care settings.

Managing resident-to-resident elder mistreatment in nursing homes: the SEARCH approach

This article describes an educational program to inform nursing and care staff of the management of resident-to-resident elder mistreatment (R-REM) in nursing homes, using the SEARCH (Support, Evaluate, Act, Report, Care plan, and Help to avoid) approach. Although relatively little research has been conducted on this form of abuse, there is mounting interest in R-REM because such aggression has been found to be extensive and can have both physical and psychological consequences for residents and staff. The goal of the SEARCH approach is to support staff in the identification and recognition of R-REM as well as to suggest recommendations for management. The educational program and the SEARCH approach are described. Three case studies from the research project are presented, illustrating how nurses and care staff can use the SEARCH approach to manage R-REM in nursing homes. Resident and staff safety and well-being can be enhanced by the use of the evidence-based SEARCH approach.

Quality assurance and performance improvement in nursing homes: using evidence-based protocols to observe nursing care processes in real time

The Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Initiative, a component of the Affordable Care Act (2010), is a new approach to quality improvement for US nursing homes. The article describes components of the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Initiative, the unique contributions of registered nurses to its implementation, and data collection strategies using direct observation and evidence-based measures and protocols in a Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement program.

State regulations for nursing home residents with serious mental illness

To identify state regulations for nursing home residents with Serious Mental Illness (SMI). We reviewed state regulations for policies relating to nursing home residents with SMI, and conducted interviews with expert stakeholders. A framework for analyzing state regulations was generated by identifying four discrete categories: States with specific mental illness regulations, Alzheimer's or dementia regulations, minor mention of mental illness, and no mention of mental illness. A large majority of the states have little or no mention of mental illness in their nursing home regulations, suggesting limited attention to all forms of mental illness by most state regulatory bodies.

Validation method training: nurses' experiences and ratings of work climate

BACKGROUND

Training nursing staff in communication skills can impact on the quality of care for residents with dementia and contributes to nurses' job satisfaction. Changing attitudes and practices takes time and energy and can affect the entire nursing staff, not just the nurses directly involved in a training programme. Therefore, it seems important to study nurses' experiences of a training programme and any influence of the programme on work climate among the entire nursing staff.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To explore nurses' experiences of a 1-year validation method training programme conducted in a nursing home for residents with dementia and to describe ratings of work climate before and after the programme.

DESIGN

A mixed-methods approach.

METHODS

Twelve nurses participated in the training and were interviewed afterwards. These individual interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed, then analysed using qualitative content analysis. The Creative Climate Questionnaire was administered before (n = 53) and after (n = 56) the programme to the entire nursing staff in the participating nursing home wards and analysed with descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Analysis of the interviews resulted in four categories: being under extra strain, sharing experiences, improving confidence in care situations and feeling uncertain about continuing the validation method. The results of the questionnaire on work climate showed higher mean values in the assessment after the programme had ended.

CONCLUSION

The training strengthened the participating nurses in caring for residents with dementia, but posed an extra strain on them. These nurses also described an extra strain on the entire nursing staff that was not reflected in the results from the questionnaire. The work climate at the nursing home wards might have made it easier to conduct this extensive training programme.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Training in the validation method could develop nurses' communication skills and improve their handling of complex care situations.

What is person-centred care in dementia? Clinical reviews into practice: the development of the VIPS practice model

The VIPS framework is a four-part definition of person-centred care for people with dementia (PCC), which arose out of an earlier review article for this journal. The definition has assisted in the practical application of person-centred care. It has been operationalized into the VIPS practice model (VPM), which has been subject to a recent randomized controlled trial within Norwegian nursing homes. The VPM provided a vehicle for the VIPS framework to be utilized during reflective practice meetings focusing on understanding care situations from the perspective of residents with moderate to severe dementia. VPM incorporated an education and coaching approach, clearly defined staff roles, and resident-focused outcomes in a cycle to support improvements in quality of care. The use of VPM in practice is discussed. VPM was built utilizing the literature from organizational change. The role of literature reviews in bringing about change in practice is highlighted.