The development of knowledgeable nursing assistants as creative caregivers (KNACC).

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide 80% of direct care in long-term care settings and are critical to maintaining resident well-being. Arts-based approaches to enhancing meaningful engagement have the potential to empower CNA ownership in the process of improving patient-centered care. We held a series of focus groups with CNAs (n = 14) to adapt arts-based creative caregiving (CCG) techniques for use in long-term care. Iterative revisions focused on CCG techniques, factors influencing implementation, and usability. The Knowledgeable Nursing Assistants as Creative Caregivers (KNACC) manual developed from the adapted CCG describes training guidelines and instructions to facilitate CNA use of creative caregiving techniques in direct care.

Pilot testing the knowledgeable nursing assistants as creative caregivers (KNACC) guide.

Knowledgeable Nursing Assistants as Creative Caregivers (KNACC) was developed to train certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to apply arts-based techniques to enhance care and support to older adults in long-term care (LTC) settings. We piloted (n=8) KNACC techniques for use in LTC and assessed its potential for influence on the CNA outcomes of structural empowerment and job satisfaction. During preliminary implementation, CNAs working in memory care units were more open to applying all techniques. The techniques in KNACC have the potential to improve CNA skills in working with long-term care residents.

Certified nursing assistants as agents of creative caregiving in long-term care.

AIM: Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide most of the direct care for long-term care (LTC) residents, yet there are few CNA-led interventions aimed at improving quality of care. In our preliminary work developing a CNA art-based intervention, we describe CNA definitions and perceptions of creativity in relation to care of LTC residents. METHODS: Data from six sequential focus groups with CNAs (n = 14) in two LTC facilities were analysed to describe the concept of creativity in relation to LTC caregiving and its meaning to CNAs working in LTC. RESULTS: Certified nursing assistants defined creativity as formal art-making, yet they also described creative approaches to engaging residents in order to build relationships and reduce challenging behaviour. While most linked creativity with discerning and responding to resident needs, creativity was also foundational to time management, teamwork and navigating challenges. CONCLUSION: Developing CNA-centred interventions to promote creative caregiving may enhance both person-centred LTC and CNA empowerment, improving resident care. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: CNA creativity should be viewed as a skill with the potential to enhance care and increase CNA empowerment. Interventions should be developed, in partnership with CNAs, to promote creative caregiving.