... with their teams to implement STAR-VA with Veterans identified to have challenging dementia-related behaviours. The frequency and severity of target behaviours and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and agitation were evaluated at baseline and at intervention completion. Staff provided feedback regarding STAR-VA feasibility and impact.
Results: Seventy-one Veterans completed the intervention. Behaviours clustered into 6 types: care refusal or resistance, agitation, aggression, vocalisation, wandering, and other. Frequency and severity of target behaviours and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and agitation all significantly decreased, with overall effect sizes of 1 or greater. Staff rated both benefits for Veterans and program feasibility favourably.
Implications: This evaluation supports the feasibility
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose of the Study: Nonpharmacological, psychosocial approaches are first-line treatments for managing behavioural symptoms in dementia, but they can be challenging to implement in long-term care settings. The Veterans Health Administration implemented STAR-VA, an interdisciplinary behavioural approach for managing challenging dementia-related behaviours in its Community Living Center (CLCs, nursing home care) settings. This study describes how the programme was implemented and provides an evaluation of Veteran clinical outcomes and staff feedback on the intervention.
Design and Methods: One mental health professional and registered nurse team from 17 CLCs completed STAR-VA training, which entailed an experiential workshop followed by 6 months of expert consultation as they worked with their teams to implement STAR-VA with Veterans identified to have challenging dementia-related behaviours. The frequency and severity of target behaviours and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and agitation were evaluated at baseline and at intervention completion. Staff provided feedback regarding STAR-VA feasibility and impact.
Results: Seventy-one Veterans completed the intervention. Behaviours clustered into 6 types: care refusal or resistance, agitation, aggression, vocalisation, wandering, and other. Frequency and severity of target behaviours and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and agitation all significantly decreased, with overall effect sizes of 1 or greater. Staff rated both benefits for Veterans and program feasibility favourably.
Implications: This evaluation supports the feasibility and effectiveness of STAR-VA, an interdisciplinary, behavioural intervention for managing challenging behaviours among residents with dementia in CLCs.
(Edited publisher abstract)