Teaching children about dementia: Pilot findings from the hip hop old S.C.H.O.O.L. (Seniors Can Have Optimal aging and Ongoing Longevity) program

Abstract

Background: Progressive deterioration of communication abilities can contribute to social isolation, reduced quality of life and increased behavioural disturbances for people with dementia, and subsequently lead to placement in residential care. Training community-based aged care staff to use strategies that facilitate communication with people with dementia can help to reduce these negative effects, prior to placement in residential care. Based on research and clinical evidence, the MESSAGE Communication Strategies in Dementia training has been developed to provide staff with evidence-based strategies to facilitate communication with people with dementia. This training provides an opportunity to improve staff communication and support their ability to provide person-centred care, while maintaining people in their own home for as long as possible. Methods: A controlled pre-test/post-test design was used to evaluate the benefits of providing communication skills training to staff providing community-based aged care to people with dementia. The training group (n1⁄413) watched the video-based MESSAGE training, and were provided with individual feedback on strategy use in conversations with clients. Staff in the control group (n1⁄417) continued with care as usual. Outcomes were measured at baseline and 3-months later at follow-up, and included measures of knowledge of communication support strategies, preparedness to provide care, and attitudes to dementia care. Staff knowledge was assessed again for the training group immediately after watching the training video. Results: Staff in the training group demonstrated a significant improvement in their knowledge of communication strategies between baseline and immediately after training (Z1⁄4-2.451, p1⁄40.014), and also, for those training group participants that have completed the 3-month follow-up to date (n1⁄47), between baseline and follow-up (Z1⁄4-1.992, p 1⁄40.046). The training group also showed a significant increase in preparedness to provide care following training (Z1⁄4-2.366, p 1⁄40.018). The control group showed no significant changes in outcomes between baseline and follow-up. Conclusions: The MESSAGE training resulted in increased staff knowledge of communication support in dementia, and improved staff ratings of preparedness to provide care to people with dementia. This training has the potential to lead to sustainable changes in both staff confidence and quality of care when working with people with dementia.