The purpose of this study is to develop and test a multicomponent hearing care intervention for the PACE staff members in order to learn more about communication and engagement.
The long-term objective of this proposal is to increase the accessibility and affordability of hearing loss treatment for older adults with hearing loss, with a particular interest in adults that have mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) in persons with MCI or dementia may exacerbate dementia-related symptoms such as depression, apathy, agitation/aggression. Moreover, engagement and activity participation are recognized as critical aspects of dementia care management, but those individuals who also experience ARHL are at a disadvantage. A pilot testing of behavioral communication intervention will be completed at multiple Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) sites in New England. A multicomponent hearing care intervention will be tested that includes staff training and non-custom personal amplification use with older adults in a group care setting. This feasibility study will lead to the refinement of the intervention protocols to be used in a future grant application that will test the real-world efficacy of the intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
50
Participants will receive a virtual training that is tailored to age-related hearing loss, use of non-custom personal amplification devices, and communication strategies.
PACE Upham's Elder Service Plan
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Mercy LIFE PACE
West Springfield, Massachusetts, United States
PACE Organization of Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Change From Baseline on a Hearing communication Knowledge Assessment at 1 Month.
Participants will complete a questionnaire to monitor retention of communication strategies and behaviors.
Time frame: 1 month follow-up
Change From Baseline on a Hearing communication Knowledge Assessment at 3 Months.
Participants will complete a questionnaire to monitor retention of communication strategies and behaviors.
Time frame: 3 month follow-up
Change From Baseline on a Hearing communication Knowledge Assessment at 6 Months.
Participants will complete a questionnaire to monitor retention of communication strategies and behaviors.
Time frame: 6 month follow-up
Qualitative Interviews
We will purposefully sample staff members whose quantitative results indicate that they were either successful or unsuccessful in learning and using new communication behaviors.
Time frame: 6-12 months post training
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