Enabling and empowering certified nursing assistants for quality dementia care

Citation
C. Beck et al., Enabling and empowering certified nursing assistants for quality dementia care, INT J GER P, 14(3), 1999, pp. 197-211
Citations number
43
Categorie Soggetti
Psychiatry,"Clinical Psycology & Psychiatry
Journal title
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY
ISSN journal
08856230 → ACNP
Volume
14
Issue
3
Year of publication
1999
Pages
197 - 211
Database
ISI
SICI code
0885-6230(199903)14:3<197:EAECNA>2.0.ZU;2-K
Abstract
Currently, 1.2 million full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) care for more than 1.5 million residents in nursing homes where 75% of residents have dem entia. By the year 2010, the number of residents in these institutions may double. Registered nurses (RNs) make up less than 7% of a home's total FTEs . In contrast, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) account for more than 40 % of total FTEs. Thus, CNAs serve as the primary caregivers in nursing home s. Typically, CNAs have a high school education or less, and receive little more than minimum wage. Their extensive contact with residents has a treme ndous impact on quality of life, but significant barriers limit their careg iving effectiveness. These barriers include poor pay, minimal long-term ben efits, and insufficient training, recognition and support for their physica lly and emotionally labor-intensive care. This paper addresses the issues o f training CNAs for dementia care by suggesting an organizational framework within which to view dementia training; providing an overview of barriers to empowering CNAs to provide quality care to dementia residents; reviewing research that has addressed a specific barrier; making recommendations for future research; and suggesting research approaches to address these recom mendations. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley gr Sons, Ltd.