STAR: a dementia-specific training program for staff in assisted living residences

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Dementia Care
• Healthcare Staff Training

Background:

• Assisted living residences are increasingly caring for residents with dementia.
• Direct care staff require specialized training to manage dementia-related challenges effectively.
• Existing training programs may not adequately address the unique needs of this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and evaluate an innovative, comprehensive dementia-specific training program for direct care staff in assisted living.
• To assess the program's impact on resident distress and staff outcomes.
• To provide data on the implementation and effectiveness of the STAR program.

Main Methods:

• The Staff Training in Assisted living Residences (STAR) program included workshops, on-site consultations, and leadership sessions.
• The program was developed iteratively and evaluated using a small randomized controlled trial.
• 114 staff and 120 residents across 15 assisted living residences participated.

Main Results:

• The STAR program was well-received by staff.
• Residents in the STAR program showed significantly reduced affective and behavioral distress compared to controls.
• STAR-trained staff reported less adverse impact from resident problems and higher job satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• The STAR program is an effective training intervention for direct care staff working with dementia residents in assisted living.
• The findings underscore the need for continued development and investigation of the STAR program's efficacy.
• Given the rising number of dementia residents in assisted living, effective training is crucial.