CLEAR Training for Dementia

Overview

Northern Health and Social Care Trust developed and delivered the CLEAR Dementia Care © training program funded by Health Education England (HEE) in September 2022. It was recognised that dementia care needed significant improvement. Staff surveys indicated a lack of confidence in handling behaviours associated with dementia, and patient feedback highlighted increased distress due to inappropriate and confusing responses from carers. CLEAR training helped to understand the perspective of the person living with dementia by considering Cognition, Life story and personality, Emotional & physical wellbeing, Activity & environment, and Relationships.

Objectives

• Enhance Carer Skills: To multi-skill and up-skill administration and clinical staff to understand and address dementia-related behaviours effectively.
• Reduce Patient Distress: To lower the levels of confusion and distress among dementia patients by improving the responses of their carers.
• Improve Staff Confidence: To increase the confidence and competency of staff in managing challenging behaviours associated with dementia.
• Implement CLEAR Strategies: To incorporate the CLEAR Dementia Care approach, ensuring consistent and effective care practices.

Approach

Level 2 and Level 3 CLEAR Dementia Care training were conducted online via ZOOM over two half day sessions for each level. There were 23 participants in the Level 2 session and 17 in the Level 3 session. Participants included a mix of care staff, predominantly from the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, along with one student. Training included group activities, case studies, and animations to ensure an interactive learning experience. Level 2 training addressed dementia types, holistic understanding, behaviour change causes, and identifying unmet needs. Level 3 built on this, emphasising implementing CLEAR Dementia Care in organisations.

Results

The results of the training program showed significant improvements across various metrics. Participants reported a significant improvement in their understanding of dementia-related behaviours and their ability to address them effectively. Moreover, there was a noticeable increase in confidence levels among staff in handling challenging behaviours, as indicated by post-training surveys. Participants provided positive feedback, expressing appreciation for the practical strategies and tools offered during the sessions, with group work and case studies being particularly beneficial. The training also promoted enhanced engagement among participants, fostering a sense of community and collaboration that contributed to improved teamwork and support dynamics.

Lessons Learnt

1. Adaptive Training Methods: Online delivery via ZOOM was effective and allowed for broader participation, but ensuring interactive elements was crucial for engagement.
2. Tailored Content: Customising the training to address specific challenges faced by staff made the sessions more relevant and impactful.
3. Continuous Improvement: Regular feedback and iterative improvements to the training content helped in addressing participant needs more effectively.

Recommendations

1. Ongoing Training: Continuously offer and update the CLEAR training to ensure all new and existing staff are equipped with the latest skills and knowledge.
2. Enhanced Support: Provide additional resources and support to staff post-training to help them implement the CLEAR strategies in their daily work.
3. Feedback Mechanisms: Establish robust feedback mechanisms to gather continuous input from participants and make necessary adjustments to the training program.

By following these recommendations, other organisations can effectively improve their dementia care practices and enhance the quality of life for people with dementia and their carers.

Contact Information

Gary Blake, Training & Development Manager for Community Mental Health Transformation, gary.blake@nhs.net