Controlled Trial of Dementia Training with a Peer Support Group for Aged Care Staff

Objective: This study evaluated the impact of an eight-session training program for aged care staff in managing dementia-related challenging behaviours. Participation in the training program with an additional five-session peer support group was compared with both participation in training only and a wait-list control condition.

Methods: Outcomes were evaluated for 90 participating staff members and 113 residents with challenging behaviours from six aged care facilities. Measures of staff attitudes and the behaviours of staff and residents were collected pre- and post-intervention, and at six month follow-up.

Results: Staff members in both dementia training groups reported improved attitudes regarding their knowledge and skills in managing residents with challenging behaviours, immediately after the training and six months later. Facility supervisors rated the nursing performance of trained staff more positively, particularly those who participated in a peer support group. The dementia training programs, whether with or without the inclusion of peer support, did not impact on levels of staff burnout or substantially reduce the level of challenging behaviours among aged care residents.

Conclusions: While training programs may impact positively on staff performance, organisational characteristics of aged care facilities, including low levels of management support for staff training initiatives, limit the potential outcomes. Methodological limitations are discussed.