The nursing home dining assistant program: a demonstration project.
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.
Bertrand
Rosanna M
RM
Abt Associates, Inc., 55 Wheeler Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. rosanna_bertrand@abtassoc.com
Porchak
Tracy L
TL
Moore
Therese J
TJ
Hurd
Donna T
DT
Shier
Victoria
V
Sweetland
Rebecca
R
Simmons
Sandra F
SF
D006801:Humans; D009728:Nursing Assistants; D009735:Nursing Homes; D000078329:Workforce