Implementing a new multidisciplinary, remote, dementia staff training program for Veterans affairs nursing homes

Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise (PLIÉ) is a group program for people living with dementia that combines movements to support daily function with present moment body awareness and social engagement that has been found to have physical, emotional, social, and cognitive benefits. The goal of this study was to develop and refine a PLIÉ remote training program for interdisciplinary Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing home staff members also known as community living center (CLC) staff.

This pre-implementation study used iterative Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles. The 10-week PDSA cycles occurred from June to September 2021 at 2 VA nursing home sites. Remote training was delivered via Microsoft Teams and included 1-hour live-streamed weekly didactic sessions (nursing staff with PLIÉ instructor) focused on PLIÉ principles and 1-hour weekly live-streamed experiential sessions for staff to apply PLIÉ principles with residents. We administered weekly feedback surveys to iteratively refine the training process.

14 staff members participated (5 recreation therapists, 3 social workers, 2 registered nurses, 2 chaplains, 1 psychologist, and 1 speech pathologist). The experiential sessions were rated as most helpful overall. Key PDSA refinements included: (1) creating 10-minute video recording summaries to support learning, particularly for those unable to attend live training sessions due to clinical schedules; and (2) incorporating self-reflection and goal setting to support staff incorporation of PLIÉ principles into routine care and personal life. These refinements resulted in increased use of PLIÉ principles with the residents from 67 to 89% of the staff participants. 100% of regular attendees (11/11) rated their overall satisfaction with remote training as "very good" or "excellent."

It was feasible to train interdisciplinary CLC staff participants to deliver an integrative group movement program for residents with dementia remotely. PDSA cycles supported refinement of the training process and improved uptake. A larger study of PLIÉ remote CLC staff training is needed to assess outcomes on residents and quality of care.