Objective:Psychogeriatric nursing must address the findings of the 1999 Surgeon General’s Report on Older Adults and Mental Health that 89% of institutionalized older adults with severe and persistent mental disorders (SPMD) reside in nursing homes; and that OBRA has had limited impact on improving mental health care.
Design:The impact of direct care staff on quality indicators must be recognized. Geriatric Nursing Assistants (GNAs) are in the position to impact the residents’ levels of independent functioning, mental health, and quality of life. This requires empowering GNAs with effective mental health care training. Video programs are an especially effective training tool in the long-term care arena. However, there have been few efforts to use video materials systematically or test their effectiveness.
Materials and Methods:An innovative video approach to training is described. The approach to training involves the use of actual GNAs presenting behavioral and stress management content in discussion with a geriatric mental health expert. Training modules include: a videotape and print materials including objectives and discussion questions. Discussion questions address objectives and topics introduced in the video. Objectives can be used to guide participants through learning activities and review content, or test content acquisition.
Results:This systematic video training approach is designed to meet the learning needs of long-term care staff, and provide the foundation for testing the efficacy of video training programs.
Conclusion:Geriatric Nursing Assistants can improve mental health care provided in long-term care if they are empowered through effective, engaging, and systematic video training.
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