The effectiveness of cares dementia training modules on delivery of person centered care inside a memory care unit : utilizing the cares observational tool

This study compared the efficacy of using online dementia training modules on both direct and non-direct care providers in long-term care settings and how this impacted their delivery of Person Centered Care (PCC), as well as their knowledge of caring for residents with a diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease (AD), dementia. Traditional educational opportunities for staff working specifically with demented residents inside Memory Care Units (MCU) were investigated, along with an alternative approach of training all staff (to include direct and non-direct care providers). The option of utilizing online dementia training modules for all staff was then evaluated by using an observational Person Centered Care tool, to see if education had made an impact on interactions between staff and the demented residents that they care for. This study utilized a single-group, repeated measures design to test a 10-week, standardized and computerized set of 10 interactive training modules in a 60-bed MCU . Fifty-one observations were made between MCU residents and staff and included in this study, employing a single-group pre-post-posttest design. The findings suggest that online dementia training modules may be beneficial for both knowledge and delivery of PCC to staff in MCUs who care for residents with a diagnosis of AD. ; Includes bibliographical references.