STAR: a dementia-specific training program for staff in assisted living residences.
OBJECTIVE
This article describes, and provides data on, an innovative, comprehensive, dementia-specific training program designed to teach direct care staff in assisted living residences to improve care and reduce problems in residents with dementia.


METHODS
STAR-which stands for Staff Training in Assisted living Residences-provides two 4-hr workshops augmented by four individualized on-site consultations and three leadership sessions. Developed by means of an iterative process of implementation and revision, it was then evaluated in a small randomized controlled trial. A total of 114 staff and 120 residents in 15 residences participated.


RESULTS
STAR was exceptionally well received. Training details are provided with a discussion of unique challenges inherent in implementation. Following training, STAR residents evidenced significantly reduced levels of affective and behavioral distress compared with control residents. Furthermore, STAR residents improved whereas control residents worsened (p < .05). Staff with STAR staff training reported less adverse impact and reaction to residents' problems (p < .05) and more job satisfaction (p < .10) compared with control staff.


CONCLUSIONS
STAR is an effective training program for direct care staff working with dementia residents in assisted living. The importance of continued development and investigation of STAR efficacy and effectiveness is underscored by the growing numbers of residents with dementia who are receiving care in these settings.
Teri
Linda
L
Department of Psychosocial and Community Health, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195-8733, USA. lteri@u.washington.edu
Huda
Piruz
P
Gibbons
Laura
L
Young
Heather
H
van Leynseele
June
J
D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D009735:Nursing Homes; D013192:Staff Development; D013664:Teaching Materials; D014481:United States