Co-Development of a Mealtime Care Training Programme to Support People Living with Dementia in Care Homes

Context: People living with dementia are at risk of mealtime difficulties which may impact health and quality of life. In care homes, interaction between carer and resident is key to mealtime care. However, training on mealtime care is variable. Objective: The aim of this study was to co-develop with stakeholders an evidence-based training intervention for care home staff and to support delivery of mealtime care. Methods: Three online workshops informed the development of a prototype training intervention. Across the workshops, 17 people participated including a dietitian, speech and language therapists, community nurses, an educationalist, care home staff, and family carers. Findings: The content of the intervention was distilled into five modules: empowerment and respect; facilitating independence; social interaction; being safe; and careful encouragement, with two cross-cutting themes: tailored care and working as a team. The agreed principles for intervention mode of delivery included ensuring a collaborative two-way experience for trainees and making training applicable to everyday practice. Training outcomes identified as important were staff knowledge, skill and confidence, improved mealtime care, and improved quality of life for residents. Limitations: Although family carers of people with dementia participated in the workshops, people with dementia did not. However, this population did contribute to the evidence base for the study in different ways. In addition, constraints of time and resources had a bearing on some decisions made in the workshops. Implications: Future research will test the implementation and impact of the training intervention on care home staff involved in mealtime care.