[Reducing work stress in geriatric care: a training program for nursing team and administrators]

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Occupational Health
• Nursing Education

Background:

• Nursing home caregivers face significant physical and mental occupational stress.
• High stress levels can negatively impact caregiver well-being and resident care quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a skill-training program for nursing home caregivers.
• The program aimed to reduce occupational stress and enhance caregiver competencies.

Main Methods:

• A 12-session skill training program was designed for nursing assistants and care supervisors.
• A controlled study evaluated training effects on competencies, job conditions, and health status.
• Data collected at baseline, post-intervention, and 12-week follow-up.

Main Results:

• Caregivers reported improved self-care skills and reduced occupational stress.
• A significant improvement in the climate with residents was observed.
• Care supervisors reported higher benefits from the training compared to nursing assistants.

Conclusions:

• The skill training program is effective in reducing occupational stress and improving caregiver-resident interactions.
• Further adaptation of the training is recommended based on pilot study findings.
• Caregiver training is crucial for enhancing the quality of care in nursing homes.