Clients experiencing dementia within skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) often face unmet occupational needs. Addressing this gap is crucial, and non-pharmacologic approaches, particularly individualized care and engaging activities, have proven effective in dementia care. Despite their efficacy, these methods are not consistently applied in SNFs. Consequently, antipsychotic medications are frequently used to manage behavioral symptoms associated with dementia in these patients.
For occupational therapy (OT) practitioners and students working in SNFs, specialized training is invaluable. This training equips them with the essential knowledge, skills, attitudes, and beliefs to effectively address the unique occupational needs of individuals with dementia residing in long-term care SNF environments.
Understanding the Abilities Care Program
Background:
Recognizing the need for improved dementia care, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) initiated a national partnership in 2012 focused on enhancing care within nursing homes. A cornerstone of effective dementia care lies in personalized approaches that are:
- Individualized to interests and backgrounds: Care plans should resonate with the person’s life history, hobbies, and preferences.
- Tailored to the cognitive and physical abilities of an individual: Activities and interventions must be adapted to the current capabilities of the individual, ensuring engagement and success.
- Considers medical needs and complications: Care strategies must be integrated with and responsive to the individual’s overall health status and any co-existing medical conditions.
The Abilities Care Program Defined:
The Abilities Care Program is specifically designed to meet the occupational needs of clients with dementia. It is firmly rooted in the cognitive disability model and embraces a collaborative care framework. This program emphasizes partnering with caregivers to modify caregiving techniques and the environment itself. The goal is to actively involve clients in meaningful occupations that enhance their quality of life.
Key components of the Abilities Care Program include:
- Creation of individualized activity prescriptions: Personalized plans outlining specific activities tailored to the individual’s abilities and interests.
- Development of tailored care approaches: Customized strategies for caregivers to effectively support and engage the individual throughout daily routines.
- Implementation of life-story boards: Visual tools that capture and celebrate the individual’s personal history, fostering connection and person-centered care.
The Abilities Care Approach Process
Abilities Care Approach Process
This image illustrates the Abilities Care Approach process, highlighting its structured and systematic nature in addressing dementia care needs.
Online Training Program for Implementation
To facilitate the widespread adoption of the Abilities Care Program, an online training program has been developed. This program is readily accessible to OT practitioners and students within Ensign-affiliated SNFs. It utilizes proven teaching methodologies, incorporating:
- Opportunities for student reflection: Encouraging practitioners to critically examine their practice and beliefs.
- Interaction with content: Engaging learning materials that promote active participation and knowledge acquisition.
- Self-assessment of learning: Tools for practitioners to monitor their progress and identify areas for further development.
- Application-based learning: Practical exercises and scenarios to translate theoretical knowledge into real-world practice.
The training program is specifically structured to:
- Prepare OT practitioners to provide evidence-based, reimbursable services: Equipping them to deliver high-quality, effective care within a recognized and evolving area of practice.
- Support reflection on professional values: Facilitating a shift towards a collaborative model of care by examining and reinforcing core OT beliefs and values.
- Familiarize OT practitioners with essential tools and resources: Providing access to the Abilities Care Approach Portal and its comprehensive collection of practical resources.
For those seeking to deepen their understanding and implement the Abilities Care Approach to Dementia, additional references and literature are available upon request.
By Gina Tucker-Roghi, OTD, OTR/L, Therapy Resource, Northern CA
