Staff training using STAR: a pilot study in UK care homes.
BACKGROUND
Symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems are very common in people with dementia living in care homes. Staff training has been identified as a promising psychosocial intervention. This pilot study investigated the feasibility of implementing the Staff Training in Assisted Living Residences (STAR) program in UK care homes.


METHODS
The eight-week STAR program was delivered in two care homes. Twenty-five care staff attended the training. Thirty-two residents, with dementia and clinically significant anxiety, depression, or behavioral problems, were included in the study. Residents and staff were assessed at baseline and eight-week follow-up.


RESULTS
Residents demonstrated significantly reduced symptoms of depression and behavioral problems following the implementation of the program, although resident-rated quality of life and anxiety symptoms did not improve significantly. Staff sense of hopefulness towards people with dementia also improved significantly and staff rated themselves as significantly more competent at forming relationships with residents.


CONCLUSIONS
Delivering the STAR program to care staff can have an impact on the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia displayed by care home residents. The program was feasible to implement and was rated highly by care staff. A large-scale randomized controlled trial is now required to evaluate the effectiveness of this training intervention.
Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK. judegoyder@gmail.com
Judith
J
Goyder
Martin
M
Orrell
Jennifer
J
Wenborn
Aimee
A
Spector
D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004493:Education / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011788:Quality of Life; D006113:United Kingdom; D000078329:Workforce