Educational opportunities for nursing assistants and personal care workers
The Center for Aging Research and Education (CARE) developed one-day conferences for health care paraprofessionals – certified nurse assistants (CNAs), personal care workers (PCWs) and other direct care staff. Although these workers provide nearly all the direct care for older adults in long-term care settings, they rarely have access to continuing education opportunities. Conference presentations address caring for people living with dementia, sustaining mobility, addressing urinary incontinence and supporting resident-resident relationships, as well as reducing their stress. In 2020, CARE developed a train-the-trainer curriculum, preparing others to expand educational opportunities for direct care staff.
Outcomes
Conference participants receive instruction and hands-on active learning on topics including vision changes with age, supporting older adult mobility and understanding dementia "behaviors" as communication. The more than 700 conference participants to date overwhelmingly rate the information as useful and something they will use in their work with older adults. CARE U train-the-trainer sessions are held occasionally, to prepare health educators to present our curriculum to direct care staff in their communities.
Focus Areas
Project Leader
Diane Farsetta
Senior Outreach Specialist, Center For Aging Research And Education
- Department/Unit
- Center for Aging Research and Education
- School or College
- School of Nursing