Training dementia care professionals to help caregivers improve the management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia using the DICE Approach: A pilot study

Most persons living with dementia (PLWD) exhibit behavioral or psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) over the course of the illness. The DICE Approach (DICE) is a framework that enables caregivers to identify, evaluate, and manage BPSD. This pilot pre-post test study examined the effects of DICE training on dementia care professionals' self-efficacy, knowledge, and attitudes regarding care of patients with BPSD. Participants underwent either in-person DICE training or, during the pandemic, online training. Case consul-tations were offered as additional learning opportunities in challenging situations. Of 134 participants in the trainings, 122 (91.0%) provided survey data for one or more instruments before and after training. Partici-pants experienced significant improvement in knowledge and attitudes with respect to BPSD and improve-ment in self-efficacy with respect to helping caregivers respond to BPSD. Training dementia care professionals in DICE can improve their capacity to support caregivers in the management of BPSD. (c) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.