More and more older adults with cognitive problems choose Assisted Living as the ideal residence for their own safety, satisfaction and comfort, and for their families’ peace of mind.
Living with the difficulties associated with memory problems every day is stressful to both the affected person and to those around her or him. Such stress can be eased by awareness of the roots of the difficulties and knowledge of skills and techniques for alleviating the effects.
Specialists at the University of Washington have created an educational program, Staff Training in Assisted Living Residences—STAR. The program is for staff of Assisted Living residences who care for residents with dementia and associated behavioral symptoms.
The training program is available to Assisted Living facilities for their direct care, licensed, and administrative staff, as well as other staff members who are in frequent contact with residents.
The program deals sensitively with memory problems by showing everyone involved how to anticipate problems and prevent them from interfering with daily living and harmonious relationships.
Two 4-hour Workshops teach direct care staff to recognize difficult behaviors and use new skills to change reactions and improve care. The Workshops cover topics relevant to the daily work of direct care staff.
Four 1/2-hour Individualized Training Sessions with each trainee while she/he is working help the trainee integrate STAR skills and techniques into everyday tasks.
Three 1/2 to 1-hour In-Services with Licensed staff demonstrate the STAR techniques and skills and show how supervisors can work with direct care staff to improve the caregiving environment.
Topics covered include:
- Realistic expectations
- Enhancing communication
- Observing and using the ABCs
- Increasing pleasant events
- Working with families
- Putting skills into action
Facility Support
The program requires the help of the administrator or Assisted Living supervisor to describe typical “problem behaviors” or “challenging care issues” and to match each direct care staff member with a resident she/he frequently cares for. Connecting the STAR training with real problems or challenges ties the new skills to genuine caregiving situations
The facility should be prepared to provide floor coverage to allow direct care staff to attend the 4-hour Workshops that are vital to the effectiveness of the training program.
The STAR program includes forms for evaluation of the training.
Please contact us for more information:
Linda Teri, Ph.D., Professor
Department Psychosocial and Community Health
University of Washington School of Nursing
Box 358733
Seattle, WA 98195-8733
Phone: 206-543-0715 Fax: 206-616-5588
email: lteri@u.washington.edu
June van Leynseele, M.A.
Northwest Research Group on Aging
University of Washington School of Nursing
9709 3rd Ave NE, Suite 507
Seattle, WA 98115
Phone: 206-221-3857 Fax: 206-616-5588
email: juneva@u.washington.edu
STAR is a comprehensive training program to help direct care staff and supervisors of Adult Care and Assisted Living Residences manage and reduce problems in residents with dementia and other memory impairments.
Training materials include:
- A step-by-step trainer manual
- Supporting visual and activity aids
- Informative handouts
- Guidelines for individual, on-the-job training sessions
- Methods to enhance supervision
- Evaluation tools for trainer feedback
- A lively and entertaining video that demonstrates realistic examples of successful STAR care.
The modular format enables the training program to be tailored to the needs of every Adult Care or Assisted Living Residences.
Prescribed activities and discussions allow direct care staff to share experiences, problems, and solutions.
Special seminar sessions provide supervisory staff opportunities to discuss how to best implement STAR.
