A Person-Centered Care Intervention for Geriatric Certified Nursing Assistants

Purpose: To pilot test a multicomponent intervention to increase certified nursing assistants’ (CNAs) awareness of person-centered care. To establish the feasibility of implementing an intervention involving videotaped biographies of residents and videotapes of resident/CNA caregiving interactions. Design and Methods: A training program was provided at two nursing homes (NHs) using a wait-list control design. Levels of dyadic relationship closeness and satisfaction were compared prepost. Video recordings of CNA/resident interactions were coded for person-centered care using two observational instruments. Results: Based on data from 19 resident/ aide dyads, the findings were that resident’s percep tions of relationship closeness increased significantly posttraining at both NHs, NH1, z = −1.89, p < .05, and the NH2, z = −1.95, p < .05. Effects were also seen with the CNA’s perceptions of satisfaction and closeness, and resident satisfaction. Implications: The findings suggest that this type of intervention is feasi ble and warrants further research.