scholarly journals The Appropriateness of Adapting the Australian Environmental Assessment Tool–High Care (EAT-HC) for Persons With Dementia in Singapore

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 57-67
Author(s):  
Joanna Sun
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Systematic Exploration ◽  
High Care ◽  
Principles Of Design

Objectives: This study investigated the level of acceptance in Singapore of the eight principles of design underpinning the Environmental Assessment Tool–High Care (EAT-HC), which is commonly used in Australia to evaluate environments for the care of people living with dementia. A secondary goal was to identify topics particularly relevant to the Singaporean context, which are not included in the Australian EAT-HC. Background: This study was undertaken in preparation for the development of a Singaporean version of the Australian EAT-HC. Methods: Discussions from 23 focus groups involving 150 family caregivers, aged care staff, administrators, and architects were recorded and thematically analyzed to identify the characteristics of the principles underpinning the EAT-HC that are unlikely to be relevant in a Singaporean version and to identify additional topics required to tailor it to reflect the Singaporean culture. The thematic analysis was supplemented with quantitative data obtained through the use of simple Likert-type scales measuring the appropriateness of each principle in the Singaporean context. Results: The principles of design that underpin the EAT-HC were highly accepted by participants and provided a framework for a systematic exploration of Singaporean residential care for people with dementia. Some topics of particular relevance to Singapore were identified. These can be subsumed by the principles without the need for the principles to be changed. Conclusion: The results support the use of the design principles underpinning the EAT-HC as the foundation of a tool for the evaluation of Singaporean dementia facilities.

The Development and Reliability of the Singaporean Environmental Assessment Tool (SEAT) for Facilities Providing High Levels of Care for People Living With Dementia

2020 ◽  
pp. 193758672098017
Author(s):  
Joanna Sun ◽  
Richard Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Levels Of Care ◽  
Culturally Adapted ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
High Care ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Principles Of Design

Background: This article describes the development of the Singapore Environmental Assessment Tool (SEAT), a culturally appropriate, usable, reliable, and valid assessment tool designed to evaluate the extent to which the built environment in Singaporean aged care facilities is able to support the provision of high levels of care to people living with dementia. Methods: A multistage sequential mixed methods approach was carried out involving 16 raters in Stage 1 and six raters in Stage 2 using a culturally adapted English version of the Environmental Audit Tool–High Care (EAT-HC) in eight nursing homes. The first stage captured qualitative data on cultural sensitivities and usability of the tool. The SEAT was improved based on the findings, and in the second stage, the usability and psychometric properties of the modified tool were again assessed. Usability was determined by data collected via the System Usability Scale and the Questions to Assess Barriers and Facilitators survey. Psychometric properties were examined by the calculation of percentage agreement, item-level interrater agreement was measured using Fleiss’s κ, and Cronbach’s α was used to measure the internal consistency of the subscale scores. Results: The culturally adapted SEAT was found to have an acceptable level of usability and moderate level of reliability among subscales. Conclusion: The study indicated that the tool is reliable and valid when completed by users with knowledge of dementia-enabling environments. For the tool to be used with confidence education in the application of principles of design to the design of environments for people living with dementia is recommended prior to its use.

Person-centered care and engagement via technology of residents with dementia in aged care facilities

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 2099-2103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita M. Y. Goh ◽  
Samantha M. Loi ◽  
Alissa Westphal ◽  
Nicola T. Lautenschlager
Keyword(s):  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Person Centered Care ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Centered Care ◽  
Aged Care Facilities

ABSTRACTTouchscreen technology (TT) is a resource that can improve the quality of life of residents with dementia, and care staff, in residential aged care facilities (RACF) through a person-centered care approach. To enable the use of TTs to engage and benefit people with dementia in RACFs, education is needed to explore how these devices may be used, what facilitates use, and how to address barriers. We sought to provide education and explore RACF staff views and barriers on using TT to engage their residents with dementia. An educational session on using TT with residents with dementia was given to staff from three long-term RACFs in Melbourne, Australia. A cross-sectional convenience sample of 17 staff members (personal care attendants, registered nurses, enrolled nurses, allied health clinicians, and domestic staff) who attended were administered questionnaires pre- and post-sessions. As a result of the education seminar, they were significantly more confident in their ability to use TT devices with residents. TT, and education to staff about its use with residents with dementia, is a useful strategy to enhance RACF staff knowledge and confidence, thereby enhancing the use of technology in RACFs in order to improve care standards in people with dementia.

scholarly journals A cross-country comparison of family carers experiences with residential aged care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. 26-26
Author(s):  
Katarzyna M Lion ◽  
Clarissa Giebel ◽  
Ilaria Chirico ◽  
Monica Cations ◽  
Rabih Chattat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Care Provision ◽  
Family Carers ◽  
Country Comparison ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
The Uk

Background:The number of research projects into residential aged care (RAC) during the COVID-19 pandemic is increasing, however there are limited data on the cross-country comparison of experiences residents living with dementia and their families. Our study aimed to 1) give an overview of the RAC restrictions and changes (visiting policy, governmental & health authorities’ advice, service delivery) implemented during the pandemic in Australia, Italy and the UK and 2) and their impact on people with dementia in RAC facilities and their families.Methods:A total of 56 informal family carers of people with dementia residing in RAC took part in semi- structured interviews over the telephone or via Skype in Australia (n=6), Italy (n=25) and the UK (n=26) between July 2020 and March 2021. The interviews were recorded and translated verbatim. Transcripts were analysed by researchers in each country using thematic analysis, then combined across sites.Results:Inductive thematic analysis identified four overarching themes: 1) Adaptations implemented in RAC facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, Italy and the UK; 2) means of communication between RAC facility personnel, people with dementia living in RAC and family members; 3) impact of the implemented restrictions and changes in care provision due to the COVID-19 pandemic on people with dementia in RAC facilities and 4) impact of the implemented restrictions and changes in care provision due to the COVID-19 pandemic on families of people with dementia in RAC facilities. While differences between countries and facilities were identified, the restrictions and changes within the residential care system impacted families’ well-being, increased their worries about care quality and safety of people with dementia. The consequences of a lack or modified services for people with dementia included noticeable physical and mental health changes. Although the majority of the facilities implemented some form of video-communication between families and residents, those solutions were unable to replace face-to-face contact.Conclusions:These findings demonstrate the need for implementing safe solutions which might facilitate more frequent in-person contact between families and residents with dementia preventing consequences in mental and physical health in both groups.

Visualising conversations between care home staff and residents with dementia

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 270-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROSEMARY BAKER ◽  
DANIEL ANGUS ◽  
ERIN R. SMITH-CONWAY ◽  
KATHARINE S. BAKER ◽  
CINDY GALLOIS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Communication ◽  
Visual Inspection ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Sufficient Time ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Care Home Staff ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Communication Behaviours

ABSTRACTPeople with dementia living in residential care often face the dual disadvantage of increasing difficulty with communication and reduced opportunities for conversation. Social interaction is central to wellbeing of residents with dementia, so it is important that care staff have the skills to engage in conversation with them. We studied conversations in 20 care staff–resident dyads, to examine conversation structure and content, patterns of engagement within conversations, including the topics around which engagement occurred, and communication behaviours by care staff that appeared to facilitate (or impede) participation by residents. The transcripts were analysed using Discursis, a computational information visualisation tool that allows interactive visual inspection, in context, of the contributions by each speaker, the turn-taking dynamics, and the content recurring within and between speakers. We present case examples (a) where care staff did most of the talking, initiated topics and were responsible for most recurrence of content; (b) where talk was more evenly shared between partners, with some topics initiated and/or elaborated by participants with dementia; and (c) where participants with dementia talked most, with care staff supporting the conversation. We identified accommodative strategies used by care staff, such as reflecting back the other person's responses to sustain engagement. We also noted care staff behaviours that impeded communication, such as not listening attentively and not allowing sufficient time for responses. The results from this study highlight aspects of social communication within the aged care context and suggest ways in which rewarding interactions between staff and residents with dementia might be encouraged.

Therapeutic Dancing for Frail Older People in Residential Aged Care: A Thematic Analysis of Barriers and Facilitators to Implementation

2019 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 403-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasmine S. Gomaa ◽  
Susan C. Slade ◽  
Jeanette Tamplin ◽  
Joanne E. Wittwer ◽  
Richard Gray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Frail Older People ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Age Appropriate ◽  
Barriers To Implementation ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers

Background Adults who live in residential aged care can have reduced participation in physical activities and sit for prolonged periods. Therapeutic dancing aims to optimize movement, creative expression, well-being, and social interaction. Objectives To investigate the benefits, challenges, and facilitators to implementing therapeutic dancing in residential aged care. Methods Thematic analysis of semistructured interviews of residential aged care staff and therapists. Interviews were digitally audio-recorded and thematically analyzed. Findings: Four main themes were identified: (a) despite frailty, dancing classes afforded motor and nonmotor benefits, (b) music and dance genre selections were key to success, (c) the skills of the dance instructor were associated with successful outcomes, and (d) there were modifiable and nonmodifiable facilitators and barriers to implementation. Conclusion Enablers included support from management, resident supervision, age-appropriate music with a strong rhythmical beat, and a dance instructor skilled in comprehensive care. Barriers included multimorbidity, frailty, severe cognitive impairment, and funding.

Stakeholders’ perspectives on adapting the World Health Organization iSupport for Dementia in Australia

Dementia ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 147130122095467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lily D Xiao ◽  
Sue McKechnie ◽  
Lesley Jeffers ◽  
Anita De Bellis ◽  
Elizabeth Beattie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
World Health ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Background In Australia, informal caregivers (family, friends and neighbours) play a crucial role in supporting people with dementia to remain at home. Within the community aged care policy, informal caregivers are acknowledged as assisting with managing care. However, they usually receive very limited dementia care education and training to support them in their role. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed iSupport for Dementia, a comprehensive online dementia education and skill training programme, to address the gap in supporting informal caregivers. Aim The aim of the study was to identify stakeholders’ perspectives regarding adapting the WHO iSupport for use by informal caregivers of people with dementia in Australia. Methods An interpretive description study design was used. Data were collected in focus groups with informal caregivers and care staff of dementia and aged care service providers conducted in May–July 2018. A thematic analysis was utilised to analyse data and identify findings. Results In total, 16 informal caregivers and 20 care staff participated in the study. Five themes were identified. First, informal caregivers perceived iSupport as an opportunity to provide an online one-stop shop to meet their education needs and their needs to manage care services. Second, both informal caregivers and care staff believed that an integrated caregiver network moderated by a health professional was much needed to enable informal caregivers to share learning experiences and enhance social support. Third, both informal caregivers and care staff strongly suggested that dementia and aged care service providers had a role to play in promoting the iSupport. Fourth, informal caregivers were concerned about the time commitment to participate in the iSupport programme. Finally, informal caregivers expected the iSupport to be user-friendly. Conclusion Stakeholders perceived the adaptation of the WHO iSupport in Australia would strengthen informal caregiver education and optimise support for informal caregivers.

P4-393: Palliative care for people with dementia: Aged care staff perspectives

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e50-e50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Davis ◽  
Melanie Shanahan ◽  
Alison Campbell ◽  
Meg Hegarty ◽  
Bernie McCarthy
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
People With Dementia

The knowledge and skills assessment (KASA) tool in the Australian Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service: development and initial testing

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 833-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Urska Arnautovska ◽  
Sofia Robleda ◽  
Jeanette Jackson ◽  
Nancy A. Pachana
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Skills Assessment ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Behaviour Management ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
Advisory Service ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Professional Care ◽  
Management Advisory

ABSTRACTBackground:As the global population ages, it is important that the professional care workforce is well prepared to support the needs of people with dementia. In Australia, the Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS) supports people with dementia and their carers through an interdisciplinary team approach. To provide DBMAS Behaviour Consultants with a tool to guide them in their professional development, this project aimed to develop a self-assessment tool to enable self-reflection on clinical competencies required for working in the service and identification of areas where further development would be required.Methods:A multi-stage process was applied in the development of the tool, including review of the relevant literature and focus groups with DBMAS Behaviour Consultants and Team Leaders. The tool encompasses both skills and knowledge in working with people with dementia and caregivers. A pilot study including 14 DBMAS consultants was conducted to assess the utility of the measure and ensure variability of ratings across knowledge and skill areas relative to time working in DBMAS.Results:The Knowledge and Skills Assessment (KASA) was developed and is now used in DBMAS service both with novice Behaviour Consultants and more experienced staff, and is also being used as an on-line version, accompanied with case vignettes.Conclusions:The KASA provides a valuable self-assessment tool for professional care staff working in dementia care, but would nevertheless still warrant further testing of its psychometric characteristics.

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