Clients with dementia in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) often face unmet occupational needs. While individualized care and engaging activities are known non-pharmacological approaches for dementia care, their implementation in SNFs is infrequent. This often leads to the use of antipsychotic medications to manage behavioral symptoms of dementia. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners and students in SNFs can greatly benefit from specialized training to better address the unique needs of these individuals within long-term care settings.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recognized this gap, establishing a national partnership in 2012 to improve dementia care in nursing homes. A cornerstone of effective dementia care lies in approaches that are:
- Individualized to personal interests and backgrounds
- Tailored to cognitive and physical abilities
- Considerate of medical needs and complications
This is where the Abilities Care Approach to Dementia becomes invaluable. It is specifically designed to meet the occupational needs of clients with dementia. Rooted in the cognitive disability model, this approach emphasizes a collaborative care model. It involves partnering with caregivers to adapt caregiving strategies and the environment, fostering engagement in meaningful occupations for clients. The Abilities Care Program encompasses the development of:
- Individualized activity prescriptions
- Tailored care approaches
- Personalized life-story boards
The Abilities Care Approach follows a structured process to ensure effective implementation.
Abilities Care Approach Process Flow
To facilitate the adoption of this evidence-based approach, an online training program has been developed for OT practitioners and students within Ensign-affiliated SNFs. This program utilizes effective teaching methodologies, encouraging student reflection, content interaction, self-assessment, and practical application.
The goals of this online training program are to:
- Equip OT practitioners to deliver evidence-based and reimbursable services in this crucial practice area.
- Encourage reflection on OT values and beliefs in transitioning to a collaborative care model.
- Familiarize OT practitioners with the Abilities Care Approach tools and resources available through the program portal.
For those seeking to implement the Abilities Care Approach to Dementia, further references and literature are readily available upon request.
By Gina Tucker-Roghi, OTD, OTR/L, Therapy Resource, Northern CA
