Tailoring dementia care mapping and reflective practice to empower assistants in nursing to provide quality care for residents with dementia

Objective: The study addressed one central aim. This was to explore the experience of Assistants in Nursing being exposed to Dementia Care Mapping coupled with refection to improve older residents care in a residential aged care facility.

Design and Setting: A qualitative exploratory design was employed to gain an in-depth understanding of Assistants in Nursing experience of creating new care for older residents using Dementia Care Mapping and feedback. The study was conducted in a dementia specific nursing home, located in urban Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Subjects: The study participants were ten Assistants in Nursing and five older residents diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia by a Physician.

Results: For the first time, the study illuminated the Assistants in Nursing innovative care following Dementia Care Mapping feedback and refection. Their experience was highlighted in three major themes: (i) Reflecting on Care (ii) Creating a Caring Connection and (iii) Empathetic Communication.

Conclusion: These Assistants in Nursing valued and used findings from Dementia Care Mapping feedback coupled with refection to improve contemporary practice. In addition, they felt empowered to create new nursing strategies for quality care. The study highlighted the usefulness of providing Assistants in Nursing with these types of educational strategies to encourage the development of creative caring for residents with dementia living in a residential aged care facility.