A recent study reveals that a digital training program for staff in residential and nursing homes has markedly improved the quality of life for people with dementia.
Notably, this program also significantly reduced the use of potentially harmful sedative medications for residents.
This study, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrates the powerful impact of specialized training and digital innovation in enhancing dementia care.
The program, known as iWHELD, was developed by the University of Exeter and King’s College London. It focuses on providing personalized care and fostering meaningful social interactions for residents with dementia.
Delivered through a digital platform, iWHELD features live coaching sessions led by trained coaches, supporting care homes to adapt and improve their care practices, even amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic.
The study involved over 700 residents with dementia across 149 residential homes in the UK. The researchers compared the outcomes of the iWHELD program with those of usual care practices.
They found significant benefits in residents who had contracted COVID-19, those showing signs of agitation at the start of the study, and those on psychiatric medications.
Published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the study highlights the program’s adaptability during the pandemic, ensuring remote delivery and continuous support for care home staff.
This adaptability proved crucial in maintaining and enhancing the quality of dementia care during such challenging times.
Joanne McDermid, the creator of the iWHELD platform and the lead author of the study, emphasized the urgent need for high-quality, effective dementia care training in care homes.
She pointed out that the iWHELD program is a groundbreaking solution, combining digital innovation with a focus on personalized care.
Katie Ives, a manager at Stonebow House care home, shared her positive experience with the iWHELD training.
The training led her team to adapt their approaches to communication and activities based on individual residents’ preferences and personalities, resulting in more residents spending time in communal areas and less in their rooms.
Professor Clive Ballard, a senior author on the paper from the University of Exeter Medical School, highlighted the vulnerability of people with dementia living in care homes.
He noted that iWHELD is an effective, practical, and affordable program that can be implemented nationally and internationally, even during a pandemic.
This study underscores the critical importance of specialized training for care home staff in enhancing the lives of people with dementia.
The success of the iWHELD program during the COVID-19 pandemic serves as a testament to the potential of digital solutions in addressing complex healthcare challenges.
By focusing on personalized care and leveraging technology, care homes can significantly improve the quality of life for their residents with dementia.
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The research findings can be found in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
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