Preliminary Evidence for Dementia Collaborative Coaching.

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to obtain preliminary evidence for a communication coaching intervention, Dementia Collaborative Coaching. The secondary aim of this study was to assess the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the intervention according to routine care providers.

Method: In a pre-/posttest design, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) delivered Dementia Collaborative Coaching to certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and people living with dementia (PLWD) in six different skilled nursing facilities over a period of 6 weeks. A self-perceived knowledge and efficacy measure regarding the use of external memory aids to support communication in PLWD was administered to CNA and SLP participants. The Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory was administered to PLWD participants. The Acceptability of Intervention Measure, Intervention Appropriateness Measure, and Feasibility of Intervention Measure were administered post-intervention.

Results: For CNAs, self-perceived knowledge and efficacy increased from pre-intervention ( = 3.73, = 0.69) to post-intervention ( = 4.07, = 0.44), (11) = -1.97, one-sided = .037. There was a significant improvement (e.g., reduction) in scores on the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory for PLWD ( = 10) from pre-intervention ( = 73.10, = 29.98) to post-intervention ( = 58.6, = 18.82), (9) = 2.83, = .01. CNA participants ( = 12) rated the intervention as acceptable ( = 4.48, = 0.48), appropriate ( = 4.33, = 0.61), and feasible ( = 4.19, = 0.48). SLPs rated the intervention as slightly more acceptable, appropriate, and feasible than CNAs with scores of = 4.54, = 0.51; = 4.54, = 0.51; and = 4.46, = 0.51, respectively.

Conclusions: Dementia Collaborative Coaching showed preliminary positive outcomes for CNAs and PLWD. The intervention was acceptable, appropriate, and feasible for routine providers and warrants further study.