A nursing assistant training program in a long term care setting.

Gerontological literature and research has clearly demonstrated that attitudes towards the elderly held by nursing staff play a critical role in the quality of care provided in long term care facilities. A three and a half hour training program aimed at sensitizing nursing assistants in a long term care setting to the aging process and experiences of the elderly is described. Nursing assistants from personal care units participated in a role playing game and were then presented with an overview of normal aging topics. Results of the study demonstrated a significant improvement in attitudes toward the elderly by nursing assistants who had attended the training program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]