Come talk with me: Improving communication between nursing assistants and nursing home residents during care routines

Purpose: We examined the effects of communication skills training and the u se of memory books by certified nursing assistants (CNAs) on verbal interac tions between CNAs (n = 64) and nursing home residents (n = 67) during care routines. Design and Methods: CNAs were taught to use communication skills and memory books during their interactions with residents with moderate co gnitive impairments and intact communication abilities. A staff motivationa l system was used to encourage performance and maintenance of these skills. Formal measures of treatment implementation were included. Results: Result s were compared with those for participants on no-treatment control units. Trained CNAs talked more, used positive statements more frequently, and ten ded to increase the number of specific instructions given to residents. Cha nges in staff behavior did not result in an increase in total time giving c are to residents. Maintenance of CNA behavior change was found 2 months aft er research staff exited the facility. Although an increase was found in po sitive verbal interactions between CNAs and residents on intervention units , other changes in resident communication were absent. Implications: Nursin g staff can be trained to improve and maintain communication skills during care without increasing the amount of time delivering care. The methodologi cal advantages of including measures to assess treatment implementation are discussed.