Palliative Care Education in Assisted Living for Dementia Care Providers (PCEAL-DCP)

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA · Dec 3, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Palliative Care Education in Assisted Living for Dementia Care Providers (PCEAL-DCP) trial is designed to improve the care provided to residents with dementia in assisted living facilities. Over four weeks, trained nurses, administrators, and dementia care coordinators will attend weekly sessions to learn better ways to support both residents and their families during challenging times. This training aims to enhance the quality of life for residents with dementia and reduce stress for caregivers.

To participate in this trial, assisted living communities must have at least 40 beds and serve a significant number of residents with memory care needs. Residents eligible for the study should have a dementia diagnosis confirmed by a doctor, have recently moved into the facility, and have a family member or legal representative who can understand English. Care staff and family members who help make decisions about the resident's care can also take part, provided they meet specific criteria. Participants can expect to engage in valuable educational sessions that focus on improving care processes and communication about end-of-life planning. This trial is currently recruiting and aims to bring positive changes to dementia care in assisted living settings.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • The AL community eligibility criteria include a minimum of 40+ beds and provide memory care services to at least 35% of their residents, and access to hospice services from Lifepath or Suncoast Hospice. The AL size of 40+ beds is selected so we will be able to recruit a minimum of 14 residents per site, based on the power analysis for the sample size of 450 for the primary study outcome of documentation of ACP discussions.
• • Residents are eligible if 1) they have a dementia diagnosis confirmed by the resident's physician (physician's signature required by University of South Florida (USF) Institutional Reiew Board (IRB) in prior clinical trial) regardless of dementia severity (mild, moderate, or severe), 2) if they have been admitted to the AL in the last month, and 3) if they have a legally responsible representative who understands English.
• • Staff are eligible if they are currently employed with the participating study AL as a registered/licensed practical nurse, administrator, or dementia care coordinator of a memory care unit and English speaking and 21 years of age or older.
• • Family members are eligible if 1) they are listed as the legally responsible party in the chart records for the resident with ADRD, 2) they understand English, and 3) are at least 21 years of age or older. This could include someone related to the person, a close friend or a legal guardian who oversees the person's care and is responsible for decisions about their care.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • AL sites will be ineligible if 1) the are not a licensed Florida assisted living facility; 2) they have previously participated in a PCEAL-DCP clinical trial (2018-2021) to avoid possible experimental contamination effects, and 3) if no staff employed at the AL are willing to participate in the study.
• • Residents are ineligible if they: 1) are currently receiving hospice services because residents who receive hospice are already engaged in ACP discussions upon admission; 2) if they are discharged from assisted living to another setting (nursing home or hospital) or are admitted to hospice or have died before baseline data is collected.
• • Staff will be ineligible if they are not licensed nurses, administrators or dementia care coordinators of a dementia care unit or terminated/resign before baseline data is collected.
• • Family are ineligible if: 1) they are under 21 years of age and do not understand spoken or written English and if there is already a legal authorized representative for a resident participating in the study (one family member per resident).
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