The value of geriatric care enhancement training for direct service workers

This study reports on the evaluation of a skills-enhancement training series for direct service providers in home care that was part of a federally funded state-level initiative to improve employee recruitment and retention. The gerontological training curriculum included content to improve problem-solving, communication, and stress management skills in order to increase professionalism and self-efficacy. While the first year of training utilized a network of "real-time" compressed video-teleconferencing broadcast to satellite sites statewide, these broadcasts were videotaped and accompanied by trained moderator-led scripted case study discussions at each of the sites during the second year. As the training series progressed, there was a linear increase in the likelihood that training would change the way participants performed their jobs in the future. Importantly, the training was more highly rated by the participants who had a greater commitment to pursuing their care work with geriatric clients. The merit of the program and implications of the results for the issue of employee retention are discussed.