Improving Quality in Dementia Care

This book describes a research study examining the
impact of staff attitudes on quality of care and
quality of life of people with dementia, and whether
changes in these occur as a result of training
and development interventions. The research includes
a review of existing attitude measurements and the
development of a new attitude scale for use with
dementia care professionals, offering evidence for
its reliability and validity. In order to evaluate
quality of care, a new observational technique is
developed, which draws on previous observational
methodologies, with a focus on the behaviour of
staff during their care of people with dementia.
Results suggest that staff with more hopeful
attitudes about people with dementia are more likely
to engage in social interactions and activities with
residents and use more quality indicators (such as
giving choice and information) during care tasks.
The study also showed improvements in staff
attitudes, the quality of care provided and in
resident well-being following a number of training
and development inputs. Implications and limitations
are discussed.

Autorentext

Tracey Lintern carried out this work, as a reasearch assistant during the late 1990's. She is now a Clinical Psychologist and continues to work towards high quality care for people with dementia in the UK. She remains keen to develop person-centred care practices and to provide appropriate training and support for care staff.

Klappentext

This book describes a research study examining the impact of staff attitudes on quality of care and quality of life of people with dementia, and whether changes in these occur as a result of training and development interventions. The research includes a review of existing attitude measurements and the development of a new attitude scale for use with dementia care professionals, offering evidence for its reliability and validity. In order to evaluate quality of care, a new observational technique is developed, which draws on previous observational methodologies, with a focus on the behaviour of staff during their care of people with dementia. Results suggest that staff with more 'hopeful' attitudes about people with dementia are more likely to engage in social interactions and activities with residents and use more quality indicators (such as giving choice and information) during care tasks. The study also showed improvements in staff attitudes, the quality of care provided and in resident well-being following a number of training and development inputs. Implications and limitations are discussed.