Research Update

Person-centered care (PCC) is the standard for the delivery of long-term services and supports (LTSS) to people living with dementia. In this new article, Kimberly VanHaitsma, PhD, Preference Based Living co-founder, and colleagues review the state of the science on meaningful outcomes and workforce development in PCC, and discuss what is needed to ensure that person-centered LTSS becomes a universal reality. The article emphasizes the need to develop pragmatic measures to assess the quality of dementia care, along with training matched to desired quality outcomes.

Covid-19’s impact on residents and staff was profound. Along with fearing the virus itself, many residents felt lonely and isolated — without visits from family or volunteers; without group dining and social and recreational activities; and with long hours spent alone in their room. Staff workloads intensified and it was difficult to meet residents’ social and emotional needs. Nursing homes that completed our Tennesse PAL Card QIP reported that the cards blunted the impact of Covid-19 on residents and staff.

Three posters caught our eye at the March AMDA conference. Take a look at these creative approaches to ease isolation, honor resident preferences, and stay attuned to resident needs.