Evaluating dementia training programs for home care workers: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Caregiving Studies

Background:

• Rising global prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD).
• Increasing demand for home care workers to support aging in place for individuals with ADRD.
• Limited knowledge regarding dementia-specific training for home care workers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of existing dementia training programs for home care workers.
• To evaluate the outcomes of these dementia training programs.
• To identify implications for researchers, policymakers, and home care workers.

Main Methods:

• Searched five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Sociological Abstracts, Scopus).
• Utilized PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMAScR) and Arksey and O'Malley's framework.
• Included studies on paid home care workers, dementia training, original evaluations, and English publications.

Main Results:

• Identified 903 articles, with 12 included in the final analysis.
• Results categorized into training details, methods and measures, and training outcomes.
• Highlighted the need for further implementation and evaluation of dementia training.

Conclusions:

• Emphasized the importance of dementia training for home care workers.
• Underscored the need for further research and evaluation of existing programs.
• Provided implications for researchers, governments, policymakers, and home care workers.