The Australian Journal of Dementia Care currently has a free PDF that you can obtain by submitting your email. They also currently have a special going to purchase their journal which is quite reasonable compared to the cost of other journals.
For more information go to: http://journalofdementiacare.com/
So to tie in with this month and the above information the journal watch is on Dementia.
Title: Caring for older people with dementia: An exploratory study of staff knowledge and perception of training in three Australian dementia care facilities
Authors: Cindy Jones, Wendy Moyle and Gillian Stockwell-Smith
Journal: Australian Journal of Ageing, Volume 32, Issue 1, March 2013, pgs 52 – 55
Abstract:
Aim
To ascertain care staff’s knowledge of dementia relating to aetiology and/or pathology, symptoms and care/treatment; and explore their perceptions of the importance and adequacy of dementia education and training opportunities.
Methods
Thirty‐five care staff working in three secure dementia care facilities were recruited. Dementia knowledge was surveyed using the Staff Knowledge of Dementia Test (SKDT). Perceptions of dementia education and training were examined via semi‐structured individual interviews.
Results
An average of 21 out of 33 SKDT questions (SD = 4.0) was correctly answered. Knowledge discrepancy was attributed to participants’ cultural and ethnic origin and the length of residency in Australia of migrant care staff. Participants acknowledged the importance of dementia education and training but were critical of the content relevancy to direct care practices.
Conclusion
There is a need to improve care staff knowledge of dementia, and dementia education and training should include direct practical competencies required for effective care delivery.