Improving Care Interactions for Residents with Dementia in Assisted Living

Optimizing Daily Care Interactions Between Staff and Assisted Living Residents With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

This study is testing a new approach to improve how staff interact with residents who have dementia in assisted living facilities to make their care better and more positive.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 120 (estimated)
• Ages: 65 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Penn State University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (University Park, Pennsylvania)
• Trial ID: NCT05618834 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to pilot test the Promoting Positive Care Interactions (PPCI) approach to enhance the quality of care interactions between staff and residents with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) in assisted living facilities. The PPCI method consists of four steps: engaging stakeholders to develop specific goals, assessing the environment and policies, providing flexible staff education, and offering ongoing mentorship and support. By focusing on positive care interactions, the study seeks to improve both resident and staff experiences in long-term care settings. The intervention will be implemented in selected assisted living facilities that meet specific criteria.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are residents aged 65 and older living in assisted living facilities with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a diagnosis of ADRD or are under 65 years old may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly enhance the quality of care and overall well-being of residents with dementia in assisted living facilities.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been various initiatives to improve care interactions in long-term care, this specific approach is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Assisted Living Facility (ALF) will be included in the study if they:

1. have at least 20 or more beds
2. are able to identify a facility champion, and
3. express a willingness to actively partner in an initiative to change practice at their institution

Staff will be included in the study if they:

1. are able to communicate in English, and
2. work at least 16 hours a week at the facility at the time of recruitment in nursing, activities, housekeeping, or dining service roles

Residents will be included in the study if they:

1. are 65 years old or greater
2. are living at the facility at the time of recruitment, and
3. have a diagnosis of ADRD and Saint Louis University Mental Status Exam (SLUMS) score of 20 or less (high school education)/ 19 or less (less than high school education) suggesting ADRD

Exclusion Criteria:

Assisted Living Facility (ALF) will be excluded from the study if they:

1. have less than 20 beds
2. are unable to identify a facility champion, and
3. do not express a willingness to actively partner in an initiative to change practice at their institution

Staff will be included in the study if they:

1. are unable to communicate in English, and
2. work less than16 hours a week at the facility at the time of recruitment in nursing, activities, housekeeping, or dining service roles

Residents will be included in the study if they:

1. are less than 65 years old
2. are not living at the facility at the time of recruitment, and
3. do not have a diagnosis of ADRD and Saint Louis University Mental Status Exam (SLUMS) score of 20 or less (high school education)/ 19 or less (less than high school education) suggesting ADRD

Where this trial is running

University Park, Pennsylvania

• The Pennsylvania State University — University Park, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Anju Paudel, Assistant Professor — Penn State University
• Study coordinator: Anju Paudel, Assistant Professor

Conditions Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias; Dementia; Care Interactions; Communication; Assisted Living; Long-Term Care