Training assisted living staff in comfort care for dementia residents

This study is testing whether a four-week training program called PCEAL-DCP helps assisted living staff have better conversations with residents who have dementia and their families about comfort care and end-of-life wishes. The training is led by experienced hospice nurses and social workers who teach staff how to support residents and families during this sensitive time. Half of the assisted living communities will receive this training right away, while the other half will receive it after the study ends.

Many people with dementia in assisted living facilities don't get to have important conversations about their care wishes before they become too ill to express them. Staff in these facilities often feel unprepared and overwhelmed when helping residents and families through these difficult conversations. This study aims to see if better training can help staff feel more confident and skilled at providing this kind of compassionate care.