Description
Touch of Grace is a video-based training program on palliative and end-of-life care for nursing home and assisted living staff, including all non-licensed support staff.
Pre- and Post-test data and focus group feedback indicate that the Touch of Grace training program improved understanding of palliative and end of life concepts and also provided tools to improve staff interactions with families and residents during the final days of a resident’s life. As predicted, the largest shifts in understanding were seen in the non-licensed staff, although gains were seen in all staff groups. Some facility-wide procedural changes to support a more palliative environment were also introduced as part of the training. Additionally, an increased appreciation for the roles all staff can play to improve care during the final days and hours were documented, particularly in the focus group discussions. This change in understanding can support a more palliative milieu in skilled nursing home settings. Based on these findings, we strongly recommend that all nursing home staff receive training in these competencies as part of the ‘on-boarding’ processes for all staff.
Document Type
Report
Start Date
8-2019 12:00 AM
End Date
8-2019 12:00 AM
Resource Type
Text
Genre/Form
reports
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Palliative care--Study and teaching; Terminal care--Study and teaching
Type
Text
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Keywords
Palliative care, end-of-life care training
Included in
Touch of Grace Project
Touch of Grace is a video-based training program on palliative and end-of-life care for nursing home and assisted living staff, including all non-licensed support staff.
Pre- and Post-test data and focus group feedback indicate that the Touch of Grace training program improved understanding of palliative and end of life concepts and also provided tools to improve staff interactions with families and residents during the final days of a resident’s life. As predicted, the largest shifts in understanding were seen in the non-licensed staff, although gains were seen in all staff groups. Some facility-wide procedural changes to support a more palliative environment were also introduced as part of the training. Additionally, an increased appreciation for the roles all staff can play to improve care during the final days and hours were documented, particularly in the focus group discussions. This change in understanding can support a more palliative milieu in skilled nursing home settings. Based on these findings, we strongly recommend that all nursing home staff receive training in these competencies as part of the ‘on-boarding’ processes for all staff.