Adapting Changing Talk: Online (CHATO) to CHATO-Inclusive

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER · Oct 8, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The "Adapting Changing Talk: Online (CHATO) to CHATO-Inclusive" trial is focused on improving communication strategies in nursing homes for residents with dementia. The goal is to adapt an existing training program called CHATO so that it is more culturally appropriate for facilities that serve diverse groups of staff and residents. This means that the training will help caregivers communicate better with their residents, providing a more supportive environment for those living with dementia.

To be part of this study, nursing homes must be certified by Medicare and care for a majority of White, non-Hispanic residents who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. Staff members, including certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and nurses, who work at least 8 hours a week in these homes will be encouraged to participate in the training. The study aims to involve a wide range of staff to ensure everyone is on the same page when it comes to communication. It's important to note that certain residents with active psychiatric conditions or terminal illnesses will not be included in the analysis. This trial is currently not recruiting participants but aims to create a positive change in how nursing home staff communicate with residents living with dementia.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Medicare certified NHs (N=40) caring for 75% White, non-Hispanic residents, and care for residents diagnosed with AD/ADRD.
• • CNAs, nurses, and other direct care staff who are permanent employees of participating NHs and who provide direct care at least 8 hours weekly will complete the CHATO-I training, available by URL link.
• • All staff will be encouraged to participate as high staff participation is desired to achieve facility-wide communication change. NHs will provide the number of eligible staff participants.
• • Data for residents in participating NHs with AD/ADRD documented on the MDS Active Diagnoses list will be included in the analyses as well as MDS data for: age, sex, race and ethnicity, frailty (MDS-CHESS scale), and level of cognitive function (MDS Cognitive Performance Scale).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • NHs serving 25% of residents admitted prior to age 65 will be excluded (screening out NHs serving primarily younger persons with serious mental illnesses).
• • CNAs, nurses, and other direct care staff who do not meet the inclusion criteria. Resident Sample.
• • Resident data excluded from MDS includes active psychiatric diagnoses (bipolar disorder, major depressive episode, schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, mood disorder with psychotic features, psychotic symptoms, hallucinations, or delusions); terminal illness (on hospice); and lack of response to staff (MDS section B).