2005-2007 Dementia Grant Projects

Caring Communication at the End of Life
Amsterdam Nursing Home Corporation, New York, NY
This expansion of existing training for staff and families follows a train-the-trainer model: three hours of administrator training; two hours of staff training in cultural competence; one hour of family training in communication.
Goal: Regarding end-of-life care, improve communication between staff and family members, increase family participation, and increase staff satisfaction.

Falls Prevention Training
Beechwood Residence, Getzville, NY
This project is developing a Tai Chi exercise DVD program for residents, along with DVD and training modules for staff.
Goal: Reduce falls through staff training and exercise, thereby improving health and quality of life outcomes.

Therapeutic Drumming and Rhythmic Activities for Nursing Home Residents with Dementia: A Dissemination Project
Beth Abraham Health Services, Bronx, NY
A Therapeutic Drumming program is being developed and implemented as a group activity for residents. Final products will include a self-contained multimedia training package.
Goal: Improve health and quality of life outcomes by creating a sense of community among residents, and providing opportunities for social interaction, communication, and emotional expression.

An Interdisciplinary Team Building Training Program for Understanding and Managing the Behaviors Associated with Dementia in the Residents of Nursing Facilities: Measurement and Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Need-Driven Dementia-Compromised Behavior Model as Described in Dementia Practice Guidelines for Recreational Therapy
Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility, New York, NY
This new, interdisciplinary, team-building training project seeks to increase staff understanding of resident behaviors. The project is studying the impact of its training.
Goal: Improve quality of life by: reducing disturbing behaviors, falls, accidents, and incidents; creating a safer and more supportive environment; improving rapport with caregivers; and reducing pharmacological treatment.

Improving Quality of Life: Addressing Dementia and Challenging Behaviors
Daughters of Jacob Nursing Home Co., Inc., Bronx, NY
Two levels of training are being developed to teach behavior management techniques and appropriate activities: one includes management, supervisors and social workers; the second includes CNAs as well as dietary, activities, and housekeeping departments.
Goal: Reduce behavioral symptoms and resistance to care.

CNA Care Planning Initiative
Daughters of Sarah Nursing Center, Albany, NY
Through training and mentoring, CNAs become participants in the care planning conference. Central to their participation is use of the newly developed Observation Tool, which allows CNAs to detail their work with each resident.
Goals: More timely and appropriate responses to the symptoms of dementia; also, empowerment and increased job satisfaction for CNAs.

Peer Mentoring for LTC Charge Nurses
Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Brooklyn, NY
This project expands an orientation program for RNs and LPNs through the development of a training manual and the addition of peer mentoring.
Goal: Improve leadership, communication, and retention of nurses.

Life Enrichment Program
Huntington Living Center, Waterloo, NY
Staff, from a range of disciplines, receives training in this existing research-based model. Three activities replace traditional large group activities: Lounge Style, Roving Cart, and Therapeutic Small Group.
Goal: Reduce falls, resident to resident behaviors, and resident to staff behaviors.

Best Practices for the Dementia Resident with Incontinence
KingsWay Arms Nursing Center, Inc., Schenectady, NY
By combining three best practice approaches, this project seeks to increase continence of its residents by increasing mobility, slowing the progression of Dementia, and managing continence.
Goal: Improve the level of urinary incontinence among individuals with dementia, thereby enhancing quality of life and enabling more effective use of staff resources.

CNA Empowerment to Improve Dementia Care
Metropolitan Jewish Geriatric Nursing Home Co., Inc., Brooklyn, NY
This project involves a two-part training for CNAs that follows a train-the-trainer model. CNAs learn to lead small group activities and also join in weekly care planning.
Goals: Reduced wandering and falls, and increased staff satisfaction.

Effectively Managing Disruptive Behaviors in Patients with Dementia
Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, New Hyde Park, NY
This train-the-trainer model of six three-hour modules teaches CNAs to manage disruptive behaviors.
Goal: Improve quality of life of residents with dementia by decreasing catastrophic reactions.

Journey with Friends: A Person Centered Approach to Dementia Care
Rosewood Heights Health Center, Syracuse, NY
This project trains staff and families to implement Journey With Friends with residents. Final products will include a training manual.
Goals: Enhance psychosocial care of residents with dementia; reduce use of psychotropic drugs; and improve work environment for staff.

Achieving Best Practices in Palliative Care for Dementia Residents: Steps for Success
Schervier Nursing Care Center, Riverdale, NY
This project is developing tools and a training program to enable facilities to develop or improve palliative care programs. Final products include a training manual, CD/ROM and Website.
Goal: Strengthen palliative care programs within all nursing homes participating in the consortium.

Use of Spaced Retrieval Technique to Improve Functional Capacity of Persons with Dementia
St. Camillus Residential Health Care Facility, Syracuse, NY
The effectiveness of Spaced Retrieval is being studied by training rehabilitation therapists to implement the technique, which trains residents to recall information over increasing periods of time.
Goal: Determine whether more persons with dementia can successfully meet their rehabilitation goals and improve their function after the introduction of Spaced Retrieval.

Developing a Person-Centered Therapeutic Recreation Dementia Program
Village Center for Care, New York, NY
This culture change effort empowers CNAs through trainings to contribute to the assessment process, and integrates therapeutic recreation into direct care staff responsibilities.
Goals: Reduce agitation and depression; also, increase engagement and socialization.