Evaluating a National Person-Centered Training Program to Strengthen the Dementia Care Workforce

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAPEL HILL · Jan 24, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying two different training programs designed to help improve the skills and knowledge of staff who care for residents with dementia in assisted living facilities. The goal is to see how well these training programs work in enhancing the staff's understanding, changing their care practices, and ultimately improving the well-being of both the staff and the residents, as well as their family members. One training program is called essentiALZ, and the other combines this with Project ECHO, which offers additional support and learning. Participants will be asked to fill out questionnaires and may take part in interviews at different times over six months, allowing researchers to gather information on how the training impacts everyone involved.

To be eligible for the trial, assisted living staff must be 18 years or older, fluent in English, and directly involved in caring for residents. Family members of residents with dementia can also participate if they are 18 or older, visit the resident at least once a month, and the resident is expected to remain in the facility for at least six months. The trial is currently looking for participants, and it offers a chance to contribute to valuable research that could improve dementia care in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• AL Staff:
• • Staff (part-time, full-time, and including contract staff) who provide direct care to residents at the participating assisted living community (e.g., certified nursing assistants, personal care aides, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, activity directors, social workers, and others) as determined by the administrator/health care supervisor
• • Are 18 years of age or older
• • Are able to read and speak English fluently
• Family:
• • Resident not expected to die or be transferred in the next six months at baseline
• • At follow-up, resident lived in AL community at least one month during the three months prior to interview date
• • Are a family member/legally authorized representative (LAR), or designated contact of a resident with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) of a participating AL community
• • Are 18 years of age or older
• • Are English speaking
• • Visit the resident at least monthly
• Exclusion Criteria:
• AL Staff \& Family:
• • - Are under 18 years of age