The development and evaluation of a training programme for nurses working with persons with communication disorders in a complex continuing care facility

Background: Positive interactions between caregivers and residents in long-term care institutions have been documented to improve residents' quality of life, their psychological and social well-being as well as their life expectancy. Residents with language disorders pose a unique challenge due to their difficulties understanding conversation, speaking, reading, and writing. The success and efficiency of such residents' communication can be improved by enhancing partners' abilities to communicate with them. Individualised communication plans, education and training, and staff support have been documented to be important components in this type of intervention. Aims: This paper reports on the development and evaluation of a communication training programme for nurses working with persons with language impairments in a complex continuing care facility. The specific aims of this study were (a) to explore changes in staff knowledge about language impairment, (b) to determine their perception of the training workshop, and (c) to explore staff's perceptions of the Communication Plans' usefulness in practice. Methods & Procedures: Eighteen nursing staff and nine residents with communication impairments participated in this study with a descriptive design. The intervention consisted of three components: developing Communication Plans, holding a 1-day workshop, and offering support while implementing the plans into practice. Outcomes & Results: There was a statistically significant increase in staff's knowledge of language disorders after training. Staff perceived the Communication Plans to be very useful in their interactions with residents. Conclusions: Individualised Communication Plans, a 1-day workshop, and the follow-up and support of a speech-language pathologist can have a beneficial effect on staff outcomes. Nursing staff demonstrated an enhancement in their knowledge and perceived skills in caring for residents with communication impairments. Results have implications for the speech-language pathologist's role with residents with communication impairments in complex continuing care.