Training, the pending subject in Alzheimer’s care

Most care professionals who work with Alzheimer’s patients do not have specialized training to serve this group. Specifically, as the report reveals Take Better Care of the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, the 67% of the people who are dedicated to assisting these people in daily tasks say they do not having received it.

And this lack, they explain, also affects environments where the demand It is constant and criticalsuch as residential centers (44% of respondents worked there) and day care centers (27%).

Profiles with less training

Of course, not all job profiles have the same shortcomings. From the report it appears that the 89% of whom they have a Certificate of Professionalism for Social and Health Care for People at Home does not have this training.

Furthermore, this group, which normally must face complex situations “alone” in the homes of dependents, reports the lowest score both in self-perceived knowledge of symptoms and in the perception of their own practical qualifications (5.35 out of 10).

Theoretical knowledge

Now, although they do not have specific training, the report highlights that three quarters of those surveyed have good knowledge general theory on dementia.

To evaluate it, the scale has been used DKAS, which includes aspects such as symptoms, risk factors, disease progression, diagnosis and care, assigning one point for each correct answer.

Thus, the general results showed that the professionals surveyed obtained an average score of 75.08%.

And, again, there are differences between professions, the profiles that the lowest scores were the professionals from the Home Help Service (SAD)with an average of 68.44%, Technicians in Social and Health Care for People in a Situation of Dependency, 72.16%, professionals with a Certificate in Social and Health Care for Dependent People, 71.64%, and Auxiliary Technicians in Nursing Care, 71.12%.

Areas of improvement

However, although the level of general theoretical knowledge about dementia is relatively high, competence does not translate into practical confidencewith an average of 6.29 out of 10.

The main areas where professionals demand additional training, with high average scores, are communication techniques and skills with people with Alzheimer’s (2.66), the management of psychological and behavioral symptoms (2.59), such as agitation or aggressive behaviors, and knowledge about the resources available to diagnosed people and their families.

They demand more training

Despite the deficits, the sector shows a strong commitment to continuous improvement: he 87% of respondents expressed interest in receiving additional trainingand 95% want to obtain a certification that accredits it.

To facilitate this learning, professionals prefer flexible and applied formatswith a preference for the modality online (64%) and prioritizing practical cases (81%) and visual and agile materials.

Recommendations

Finally, as can be seen from the report, the current training lack is reflected in the contents of the regulated itineraries (Professional Certificates and FP), where specific training in dementia is usually integrated into general modules that do not go into sufficient depth.

Likewise, it is criticized that many training courses are not given by professionals specialized in Alzheimer’s.

In this way, the report’s recommendations point out that the design of training programs must be structured and accredited, prioritizing practical skills such as behavioral management and communication skills.

In that sense, they detail, it is essential that this training adapts to the real working conditions and focuses on the user’s life story to promote more humane care.

Finally, they emphasize the need for take care of those who careoffering training on self-care and promoting spaces for psychological support to prevent burnout syndrome.

The study

The report included surveys of 270 direct care professionals (mainly women, 91.48%) and qualitative interviews.