Formal Caregiving

Overview

Formal caregiving entails professionals providing assistance to persons living with dementia. The research at the CARE Lab places an emphasis on personal support workers (PSWs) and optimizing the caregiver experience, specifically through effective person-centered communication.

Publications

Savundranayagam, M. Y., Docherty-Skippen, S. M., & Basque, S. (2021). Qualitative insights into the working conditions of personal support workers in long-term care in the context of a person-centered communication training intervention. Research in Gerontological Nursing. Doi:3928/19404921-20210708-01
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This study reports on qualitative insights into the working conditions of personal support workers (PSWs) in long-term care (LTC) homes within the context of a person-centered communication training intervention. 

Savundranayagam. M.Y.  and Lee, C.J. "Roles of communication problems and communication strategies on resident-related job satisfaction" American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Disorders (2017) 
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Communication is a fundamental pillar in effective caregiving, especially in the context of formal caregiving. This study aimed to explore this further, by investigating the impact of both communication problems and communication strategies on resident-related role demand and satisfaction. 

Savundranayagam, M.Y., Sibalija, J. and Scotchmer, E. "Resident reactions to person-centered communication by long-term care staff" American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias (2016) 
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Long-term care staff caregivers who practice person-centered care ensure that they incorporate life history, preferences, and the feelings of residents with dementia during their care interactions. This study investigates the impact of person-centered communication and misses opportunities for this communication by staff on resident reactions.  

Savundranayagam, M.Y. and Moore-Nielson, K. "Language-based communication strategies that support person-centered communication" International Psychogeriatrics(2015) 
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The purpose of this study was to determine if language-based strategies for effective communication with persons living with dementia coincide with the following indicators of person-centered communication: recognition, negotiation, facilitation, and validation. 

Savundranayagam, M.Y. "Missed opportunities for person-centered communication: Implications for staff-resident interactions in long-term care" International Psychogeriatrics (2014) 
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This study examines the extent to which staff-resident communication is person-centered and the extent to which staff miss opportunities to communicate with their residents in a person-centered manner.  

Savundranayagam, M.Y. Ryan, E.B., Anas, A. and Orange, J.B. "Communication and Dementia: Staff Perceptions of Conversational Strategies" Clinical Gerontologist Vol. 31 Iss. 2 (2007) 
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This study aimed to examine how vocal and nonverbal characteristics of communication-enhancing strategies would be perceived by persons living with dementia, compared to when directive language is used.