A reevaluation of cognitive care training in nursing homes

Cognitive care training, also known as dementia training, has changed significantly, and negatively, since 1993 in New York State nursing homes. The research reported in this paper examines the employment requirements for cognitive care training and the actual post-employment cognitive care training. The research involved a replication of the research by Porter (1994) who assessed the level of cognitive care training in New York State nursing homes a decade ago. Using a condensed version of the questionnaire distributed in 1993, 524 nursing homes were studied to ascertain the number of hours and types of cognitive care training provided in 2003 compared to 1993. From a stratified random sample of New York State nursing homes, it was hypothesized that there would be significant differences between the number of cognitive care training hours offered in 1993 and those in 2003. Current regulations on cognitive care training hours in New York State also were assessed. A statistically significant negative difference was discovered in the number of hours of post-employment cognitive care training hours from 1993 to 2003. Results also revealed the absence of requirements for cognitive care training hours in the professions of nursing home administrators, registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses. Multiple regression analysis on predictors of cognitive care training hours revealed seven statistically significant factors. Recommendations are provided for improving cognitive care training through appropriate regulations, reimbursement, and in nursing home operations.