Person-centered care (PCC) has been the subject of several intervention studies reporting positive effects on people with dementia. However, its impact on staff remains unclear. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the impact of PCC approaches on stress, burnout, and job satisfaction of staff caring for people with dementia in residential aged care facilities. Research articles published up to 2013 were searched on PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and EBSCO and reference lists from relevant publications. The review was limited to experimental and quasi-experimental studies, published in English and involving direct care workers (DCWs). In all, 7 studies were included, addressing different PCC approaches: dementia care mapping (n=1), stimulation-oriented approaches (n=2), emotion-oriented approaches (n=2), and behavioral-oriented approaches (n=2). Methodological weaknesses and heterogeneity among studies make it difficult to draw firm conclusions. However, 5 studies reported benefits on DCWs, suggesting a tendency toward the effectiveness of PCC on staff.

Involving institutionalized people with dementia in their routines may be challenging, particularly in advanced stages of the disease. Motor and multisensory stimulation may help to maintain or improve residents' remaining abilities such as communication and self-care. This study examines the effects of a motor and multisensory-based approach on the behavior of 6 residents with moderate-to-severe dementia. A single-group, pre- and post test design was conducted. Motor and multisensory stimulation strategies were implemented in residents' morning care routines by staff, after the provision of training and assistance. Twelve video recordings of morning care (6 pre- and 6 post interventions) were coded for the type of residents' behavior. Results showed a tendency toward improvements in residents' levels of caregiver-direct gaze, laughing and engagement, and a reduction of closed eyes, during morning care. The introduction of a motor and multisensory-based approach in care routines may improve residents' engagement and attention to the environment.

These findings can guide professionals in targeting and monitoring interventions aiming to develop caregivers' effective coping strategies. Besides, engaging secondary caregivers in current available interventions and services, usually targeted to the primary caregiver, is of paramount need, as they can reduce the burden of primary caregivers and delay institutionalisation.

Background and Objectives Poor identification of sensory impairments in care homes can be due to multiple factors. This scoping review identifies and synthesizes the literature into the detection of hearing and vision loss in the care home environment, and the management of these sensory losses once identified. Research Design and Methods A scoping review methodology was used to identify primary research of any design published from 1985 to September 2018. Six electronic databases were searched, and articles were also sourced from reference lists, relevant charity organizations and published experts. Results Six electronic databases and multiple gray literature sources identified 51 articles for inclusion. The evidence confirmed that lack of knowledge in care home staff, poor management of assistive aids, unsuitable environment, lack of connections with optometrists and audiologists, underuse of effective screening tools, and the added complexity of assisting those with dementia are all barriers to effective practice. Conversely, flexible training programs, availability of a variety of assistive aids, simple screening tools, and adaptions to the environment are effective facilitators. Discussion and Implication This review acknowledges that the barriers to identification and management of hearing and vision loss in care homes are multifaceted and that collaboration of multiple stakeholders is required to implement change and improve the residents’ ear and eye care. Recommendations are offered to support more effective service provision tailored to meet the needs of people with sensory impairments living in care homes, and this could subsequently improve best practice.

An experimental study using a pre-posttest control group design was conducted to assess the effects of a person-centered care-based psychoeducational intervention on direct care workers' stress, burnout, and job satisfaction. The intervention aimed to develop person-centered care competences and tools for stress management. Four aged care facilities were randomly assigned to a psychoeducational or an education-only intervention (control). Data were collected from 56 direct care workers (female, mean age 44.72 ± 9.02) through measurements of burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory), job satisfaction (Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire-short form), and stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and focus-group interviews. Results showed significant positive effects in emotional exhaustion (P = .029) and positive but no significant effects in stress and job satisfaction. According to qualitative data, the experimental group perceived enhanced group cohesion, emotional management, and self-care awareness. Psychoeducational interventions may contribute to reduce direct care workers' burnout. Further work is needed to determine the extent of its benefits.