Examining the Impact of LEAD^TM Training on Confidence and Practice Patterns in Rehabilitation Professionals

Dementia affects approximately 9.6% of Americans aged 65 or older, with these numbers predicted to continue to rise, making it a significant growing public health concern that physical therapists may encounter. Dementia affects a large amount of the PT patient population, yet physical therapists report reduced confidence in treating this population due to the lack of education in academia and reduced exposure to dementia care in clinical practice. This experimental pre-post test study examined the effect of the Leveraging Existing Abilities in Dementia™ training program on confidence in handling various situations and the utilization of communication and treatment strategies discussed in the LEAD™ training program when treating individuals with dementia. Eight rehabilitation providers completed the 12 h LEAD™ training program. Pre-program, post-program, and 3-month surveys were administered to capture confidence in communication, implementation strategies and dementia knowledge. (p = 0.003). At baseline, participants were unfamiliar with 5 of 10 validated dementia care practices, but by 3-month follow-up, 90% reported using these strategies at least weekly. Notable gains included intent to use the K.I.S.S. method (+73%) and spaced retrieval (+29%). Although dementia is highly prevalent, many rehabilitation providers lack confidence in dementia care due to limited training. The LEAD™ program shows potential to bridge this gap, but continued evaluation is needed to assess long-term effects on practice and patient outcomes.