title: The nursing home dining assistant program: a demonstration project.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to extend earlier research on the dining assistant (DA) federal regulation allowing trained non-nursing staff to provide feeding assistance care in nursing homes. Observations were conducted pre- and post-implementation, with periodic observations during implementation. To assess sustainability, data were analyzed at 12 months post-implementation. Results replicated previous findings: DAs spent more time assisting residents, and the quality of care was comparable to that of nurse aides. Results confirmed continuation of the program at 12 months post-implementation. DA programs that augment nursing home staffing levels offer a feasible way to improve feeding assistance care within the constraints of existing resources.
authors.affiliation: Abt Associates, Inc., 55 Wheeler Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. rosanna_bertrand@abtassoc.com
authors.forename: Rosanna M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bertrand
authors.forename: Tracy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Porchak
authors.forename: Therese J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Donna T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Hurd
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Shier
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sweetland
authors.forename: Sandra F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Simmons
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009728:Nursing Assistants; D009735:Nursing Homes; D000078329:Workforce