Preliminary Evidence for Dementia Collaborative Coaching

The primary purpose of this study was to obtain preliminary evidence for a communication coaching intervention, Dementia Collaborative Coaching. The secondary aim of this study was to assess the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the intervention according to routine care providers.

In a pre-/posttest design, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) delivered Dementia Collaborative Coaching to certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and people living with dementia (PLWD) in six different skilled nursing facilities over a period of 6 weeks. A self-perceived knowledge and efficacy measure regarding the use of external memory aids to support communication in PLWD was administered to CNA and SLP participants. The Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory was administered to PLWD participants. The Acceptability of Intervention Measure, Intervention Appropriateness Measure, and Feasibility of Intervention Measure were administered post-intervention.

For CNAs, self-perceived knowledge and efficacy increased from pre-intervention (M = 3.73, SD = 0.69) to post-intervention (M = 4.07, SD = 0.44), t(11) = -1.97, one-sided p = .037. There was a significant improvement (e.g., reduction) in scores on the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory for PLWD (n = 10) from pre-intervention (M = 73.10, SD = 29.98) to post-intervention (M = 58.6, SD = 18.82), t(9) = 2.83, p = .01. CNA participants (n = 12) rated the intervention as acceptable (M = 4.48, SD = 0.48), appropriate (M = 4.33, SD = 0.61), and feasible (M = 4.19, SD = 0.48). SLPs rated the intervention as slightly more acceptable, appropriate, and feasible than CNAs with scores of M = 4.54, SD = 0.51; M = 4.54, SD = 0.51; and M = 4.46, SD = 0.51, respectively.

Dementia Collaborative Coaching showed preliminary positive outcomes for CNAs and PLWD. The intervention was acceptable, appropriate, and feasible for routine providers and warrants further study.