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. 2022 Nov-Dec:48:74-79.
doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.08.016. Epub 2022 Sep 22.

Training dementia care professionals to help caregivers improve the management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia using the DICE Approach: A pilot study

Tammi Albrecht  1 , Molly Schroeder  1 , Tamara LeCaire  1 , Sarah Endicott  2 , Katelyn Marschall  3 , Kristen Felten  3 , Noelia Sayavedra  4 , Sydney Russmann  1 , Vince Kern  5 , Mary C Blazek  6 , Helen C Kales  5 , Cynthia M Carlsson  7 , Jane Mahoney  8 , Art Walaszek  9
Affiliations

Training dementia care professionals to help caregivers improve the management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia using the DICE Approach: A pilot study

Tammi Albrecht et al. Geriatr Nurs. 2022 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Most persons living with dementia (PLWD) exhibit behavioral or psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) over the course of the illness. The DICE Approach (DICE) is a framework that enables caregivers to identify, evaluate, and manage BPSD. This pilot pre-post test study examined the effects of DICE training on dementia care professionals' self-efficacy, knowledge, and attitudes regarding care of patients with BPSD. Participants underwent either in-person DICE training or, during the pandemic, online training. Case consultations were offered as additional learning opportunities in challenging situations. Of 134 participants in the trainings, 122 (91.0%) provided survey data for one or more instruments before and after training. Participants experienced significant improvement in knowledge and attitudes with respect to BPSD and improvement in self-efficacy with respect to helping caregivers respond to BPSD. Training dementia care professionals in DICE can improve their capacity to support caregivers in the management of BPSD.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Behavioral and psychological symptoms; Dementia; Family caregivers.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest Dr. Walaszek declares the following interests: He receives royalties from American Psychiatric Association Publishing; he has received honoraria from Aurora Advocate Healthcare, University of Nebraska, University of Missouri-Kansas City, the Wisconsin Association of Medical Directors, and MercyHealth for presentations given. Dr. Endicott has received an honorarium from UnityPoint Health – Meriter and the Wisconsin Nurses Association APRN Forum for presentations given. Dr. Carlsson receives grant funding from NIH, NIH/Lilly, NIH/Eisai, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Mahoney receives grant funding from NIH and royalties from Freiberg Press. The other authors do not have any interests to disclose.

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