— Improving care interactions can improve health outcomes, resident and staff satisfaction —

CHICAGO, June 14, 2024 — The Alzheimer’s Association Dementia Care Provider Roundtable (AADCPR) is awarding $250,000 in grant funding to Anju Paudel, Ph.D., R.N., Pennsylvania State University, to fund research aimed at optimizing care interactions between staff and people living with dementia in assisted living communities.

The new study will examine the effectiveness of a new process and outcome measure known as QUALity of Interactions Inventory (QUALII). The new tool is aimed at both guiding positive care interactions between assisted living staff and residents and evaluating the impact of these interactions.

“Staff-resident interaction is a critical measure of high quality, person-centered dementia care,” Paudel said. “Nearly one million residents living in assisted living communities have care interactions with staff daily. Our study is aimed at optimizing these interactions to improve care delivery, response to treatment and enhance resident and staff satisfaction.”

It is estimated that 42% of residents in assisted living communities have Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. These residents are especially at risk for poor care interactions related to ineffective staff approaches such as rapid talking, negative touching, and lack of verbal or non-verbal contact during care. These poor care interactions can have negative consequences for both residents and staff.

“Our study is aimed at developing strategies for optimizing care interactions in assisted living that will benefit both residents and staff,” Paudel said. “Previous research on understanding and improving staff-resident interactions in long-term care has been focused largely in nursing homes. Less is known about care interactions in the unique setting of assisted living communities.”

“Funding this research provides an exciting opportunity to enhance dementia care in assisted living communities,” said Lillian Reda, Genesis Healthcare, chair of the AADCPR. “This study aligns with the Roundtable’s core mission to achieve better care and outcomes for both people living with dementia and their caregivers across the continuum of long-term and community-based care settings.”

Launched in 2018, the AADCPR represents a consortium of thought leaders from the dementia care provider industry working to advance care and support services for people with dementia and their caregivers, including through the dissemination and adoption of evidence-based Alzheimer’s Association Dementia Care Practice Recommendations. The group is composed of 30 organizations representing the continuum of long-term and community-based care, including nursing homes, assisted living communities, life plan communities, and home care and adult day care providers.
 

About the Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia®. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

About the Alzheimer’s Association Dementia Care Provider Roundtable

The mission of the Alzheimer’s Association Dementia Care Provider Roundtable (AADCPR) is to advance care and support services for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias and their caregivers, through the dissemination and adoption of evidence-based Practice Recommendations. The AADCPR is a consortium of thought leaders from the dementia care provider industry including assisted living, nursing home, and home and community based services.