Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects
Access Control
Open Access
Embargo Period
4-30-2021
Degree Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Degree Track
Family Nurse Practioner
Year Degree Awarded
2022
Month Degree Awarded
May
Keywords
Dementia, Caregiver, Nursing Home
Advisor
Kalpana Poudel Tandukar, PhD., MPH., MPHC., CGM
Abstract
Background: Inadequate training of dementia care providers in nursing homes lead to adverse health outcomes in patients with dementia.
Purpose: To educate and train dementia caregivers in a nursing home to improve dementia care.
Methods: A Quality Improvement Project (QIP) was implemented in a nursing home with nine nurses engaged in two virtual education group sessions led by the DNP student over an eight- week timeframe. Topics discussed included education on the nature and progress of dementia, building trust with dementia patients, managing their behavior, communication strategies, and self-care. Pre-training and post-training surveys were completed prior to the start of the education session and after completing the education session.
Results: The post-training surveys revealed that 60% more participants rated their overall knowledge of dementia and competency in building trust with their dementia patients as excellent, 20% more rated themselves as excellent in managing behaviors, and 60% more rated themselves as excellent in communication skills and 70% more rated themselves in the domain of self-care after the educational sessions. Analysis of the survey results further demonstrated a strong agreement by 89% that dementia training was excellent. Additional findings from the surveys concluded that dementia caregivers need to engage in self-care to improve their individual well-being, making them better caregivers who are confident with patient care.
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