- Caregiver Calendar
- Nursing Assistant (NA) e-Learning Tool
- 2. Dementia Caregiver Assessment Tool
- 3. Caregiver Services Information Tool
Project 1: Caregiver Calendar
Introduction:
As per the Caregiver Theme Group blog we did not receive sufficient responses from the caregivers to determine the impact of the calendar information segments on caregiver caring practices. However, we believe that the calendar has useful information. We had discussed previously partnering with Shoppers Drugmart in the annual printing and distribution of the calendar rather than distribute annually as a NICE information tool.
Objective 2010-2011:
We plan to approach Shoppers to engage them in this partnership.
Above: NICE Caregiver Calendar
Methods:
Peter Donahue is in the process of preparing a funding application to Shoppers with regard to their participation in this project. If they agree to support the calendar project we will design a method for obtaining ongoing feedback from caregivers who receive the calendar from Shoppers.
Implications:
If we are successful in gaining Shopper’s support this would result in distribution of the Calendar through all of their stores across Canada and hopefully increase number of responses to our follow up survey.
Project 2: Nursing Assistant (NA) e-Learning Tool
Introduction:
This past year we developed an e-learning tool for nursing assistants working in long term care institutions. The e-learning program is in process of being pilot tested with NAs and nursing supervisors at two long term care institutions (Waterloo, Peter Donahue; Winnipeg, Corey McKenzie). The results of the pilot test will be presented to the Caregiver Theme Group at the June, 2010 NICE meeting.
Objective 2010-2011:
Following analysis of the pilot study data we will use the feedback to revise the NA e-learning program preparatory to conducting a national study of the impact of the program on NA clinical practice in long term care institutions.
Methods:
We plan to invite participation of two long term care institutions in each province; one rural and one urban. With the support of institution CEOs/manager we will implement the program at each institution, including REB applications for approval. We will develop metrics for assessing efficacy of the e-learning tool with regard to NA knowledge gained, NA caregiving attitudes, NA stress, NA coping, NA self-efficacy, NA physical and mental health status. Where possible we will compare outcome responses of NAs who engage in the e-learning program with responses of a waiting list control group of NAs.
Above: Screenshot of Nursing Assistant DVD
Implications:
The ultimate aim of the project is to be able to disseminate broadly an evidence-based e-learning tool that is readily accessible and has an impact on NA job performance and satisfaction reflected in optimal care of older adults living in long term care institutions.
Project 3: Dementia Caregiver Assessment Tool
Introduction:
The needs of informal dementia caregiver are rarely assessed by health and social services agencies; rather it is the assessed needs of the care recipient that determine service allocation. The stress of caregiving frequently results in deterioration in the health of the caregiver and premature institutionalization of the care recipient. An easy to administer and interpret assessment tool would greatly assist service providers in identifying the needs of caregivers in conjunction with assessing the needs of care recipients resulting in individualized service allocation that benefit both caregiver-care and recipient.
Objective 2010-2011:
A validated dementia caregiver assessment tool will be digitized, made available via the Internet and tested in several health and social services agency settings. The aim is to examine the ease of use, validity and utility of the information output for clinicians, and impact of services allocated on meeting the needs of caregivers.
Methods:
A pilot study will be implemented in one health care institution and one CCAC. The dementia caregiver assessment questionnaires will be digitized that will include a scoring and interpretation algorithm. Clinicians and dementia caregivers will be interviewed to obtain their reflections of using the assessment tool and whether it was effective in helping the clinician-caregiver pair determine services needed to meet the needs of both the caregiver and the care recipient.
Implications:
The ultimate aim of the project is to generate a Dementia Caregiver Assessment Tool that could be made available as an Apps for easy administration, scoring and interpretation of output.
Project 4: Caregiver Services Information Tool
Introduction:
The Caregiver Calendar produced and distributed annually for the past three years yielded little feedback as to the impact on caregivers’ knowledge/skill acquisition due to the very poor response to our evaluation questionnaires. What we did learn from the feedback received is that caregivers need regional information regarding services within each province. Considering the needs of caregivers an information tool that listed all services available, within each province for persons with chronic disease and their caregivers could be helpful. Immediately following diagnosis of a chronic disease (e.g. dementia, Parkinson, stroke) patients and caregivers need to know what services are available and they need to access information about the disease, its course and treatment. The information tool would include regional information about services as well urls of web sites with authenticated information.
Objective 2010-2011:
A services information tool that includes local information as to services as well as urls for authenticated information web sites will be developed and pilot tested.
Methods:
In collaboration with Caregiver Theme team members from across Canada we will develop province-specific caregiver information tools that will include urls for authenticated web sites for disease-specific information. Both print copy and digital copy of the tool will be made available to a sample of GPs and health service organizations in each province. Telephone follow up interviews will be conducted to gain feedback as to the utility of the tool for both clinicians and caregivers.
Implications:
The ultimate aim of the project is to generate a Caregiver Services Information Tool that would be available in print copy and could be made available as an Apps to practitioners and caregivers.
