The development, implementation, and evaluation of The Empowered Aide Model (T.E.A.M.)

Abstract

Despite the abundance of research that demonstrates the negative effects that caring for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) can have on the health and wellbeing of family caregivers, relatively little research has been conducted with formal caregivers to determine whether similar effects exist. As well, there have been few interventions aimed at reducing the possible deleterious effects of caregiving among formal caregivers, such as health care aides (HCAs) in long-term care facilities. This thesis describes "The Empowered Aide Model" (T.E.A.M.), a model of care developed to improve the quality of the long-term care work environment for HCAs who care for residents with ADRD. It is hypothesized that the implementation of T.E.A.M. will lead to decreased levels of burnout and improved perceptions of the work environment among HCAs. A study was undertaken to examine the effects of implementing T.E.A.M. on HCAs in four long-term care facilities. T.E.A.M. was implemented in two of the facilities; the other two facilities served as controls. Three types of data were collected from the HCAs: (1) self-reported questionnaire data, (2) physiological stress response data, and (3) qualitative interview data. The questionnaire data indicated that after the implementation of T.E.A.M. , there were significant differences between HCAs in the treatment and control facilities in terms of job burnout and their perceptions of the work environment. However, there were no significant differences found between HCAs in the treatment and control groups on the physiological stress response measures. The qualitative data provided detailed information about the HCAs' impressions of T.E.A.M. and its effects on their work environment. Overall, the results from this study suggest that T.E.A.M. was successful in reducing job burnout and improving HCA's perceptions of their work environment. Consequently, T.E.A.M. appears to be a feasible and effective means of improving the quality of work life among HCAs in long-term care facilities.