Improving Mood and Behavior in Assisted Living Residents Through Skills Training for Their Caregivers

Assisted living is rapidly becoming one of the most common methods of caring for older adults with dementia in long-term care. Over half of assisted living residents have dementia and many exhibit affective and behavioral problems related to the condition; residents' care and quality of life may suffer as a result of these problems. Despite the seriousness of this condition, interventions to teach direct care staff how to care for these residents are limited. This study will develop a program for teaching assisted living staff how to deal with the issues of patients with dementia and reduce mood and behavioral problems among this population.

Caregivers will be randomly assigned to attend skills training sessions as two 4-hour workshops, four 30 minute individual training sessions, or two 30 minute in-services. Training will focus on dementia, depression and anxiety, the incidence of behavior problems, and skills and techniques for alleviating care challenges associated with behavior problems. Caregivers will complete self-report scales and questionnaires at the beginning and at the end of the study; these measures will assess job satisfaction, reactions to resident behavioral problems, and job skills. Residents will also be recruited for this study; they will complete questionnaires about their depressive episodes, anxiety, behavioral problems, and quality of life at the beginning and at the end of the study.

Inclusion criteria

for Assisted Living Staff

• Work in the assisted living residence for at least 6 months prior to study entry
• Work in the assisted living residence at least 5 days a week, for at least 4 hours a day on day or afternoon-evening shifts
• Provide direct care for at least 1 assisted living resident
• Agree to attend all training sessions and complete assessment forms
• Able to speak, read, and understand English at a 6th grade level

Inclusion criteria

for Assisted Living Residents:

• Diagnosis of dementia
• Identified by caregiving staff as having mood or behavioral problems
• Have lived at the assisted living residence for at least 3 months prior to study entry
• Have a family member with power of attorney

Exclusion criteria

for Assisted Living Residents:

• Plan to receive medication for affective or behavioral problems during the study
• History of alcohol or drug abuse
• Have attempted suicide within 1 year prior to study entry