Inmates Undergo Training to Care for Inmates with Dementia

1. Inmates Undergo Training to Care for Inmates with Dementia Sara Bartlett, LCSW Area Director, San Luis Obispo County Regional Office Alzheimer’s Association, California Central Coast Chapter

2. Conflict of Interest DisclosureSara Bartlett, LCSW Has no real or apparent conflicts of interest to report.

3. Transformation Hope

4. The California Central Coast Chapter includes Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura and Kern Counties in California, U.S.A. Our Mission: To eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

5. California Men’s ColonySan Luis Obispo, CA • 3,757 inmate Medium Security Prison • 36 classified as DD3s (lowest functioning with dementia) in D Quad • One of two California prisons designated as a Medical Facility • Clark Lawsuit • Transfers in and age in place • 55,000 + inmates over age 55 in U.S., expected to double every 5 years (Winokur, 2005) • Rate of AD is 1/8 for those over age 65

6. Social Service Aides=“Gold Coats” • 6 selected to provide ADL assistance to DD3s • 12 hour shifts from 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Monday-Sunday • Oversight provided by psychologist Bettina Hodel, Ph.D., Supervisor of DD3 unit and HeribertoSánchez, Ph.D., Chief Psychologist of Mental Health Services

7. The Project • January-February 2009-planning • Training dates: March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8, 2009 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. • Training done by Sara Bartlett, LCSW and Arlene Stepputat, M.A. with Alzheimer’s Association • Support Group: July-December, 2009 • September 2009: Educational visit from Sara Bartlett, Alzheimer’s Association • January 7, 2010: Graduation

8. Program Curriculum • Session 1: Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: An Overview and Understanding the Experience of Dementia • Session 2: Understanding the Experience of Dementia and Communication • Session 3: Creating Resident-Centered Activities, Independence and Activities of Daily Living • Session 4: Coping With Challenging Situations and taking Care of Ourselves and Our Team

9. Program Delivery • Power Point presentation • Lecture, activities, role play, handouts • Journaling/homework • Videotaped for later use

10. Support Group Structure • July 2009: Understanding the purpose of the support group and assigning PWD to inmate • August 2009: Use Life Review of PWD to create a new activity for them each week • September 2009: Visit from Alzheimer’s Association • October-December 2009: Continue to work on resident-centered activity and each Social Aide develop and implement a new group activity

11. Graduation

12. Evaluation of Program • Comments from Social Aides: “Thank you for allowing me (a prisoner) to feel human.” “This training is providing me with a wider range of options and tools to utilize in carrying out my job responsibilities.” “You truly opened my eyes to what I have to do to be of service to others.” • Comments from Staff: “This is training that all prison staff need. We often get caught up in the custody/security functions and forget our moral need to provide human care.” “My patience level has definitely increased in the classroom setting.” “This was very informative and extremely interesting. This was the best training I’ve ever attended!”

13. Follow-up • Dr. Cheryl Steed and Dr. Sanchez continue to manage the unit and Social Aides continue to employ techniques learned, watch video, mentoring program • Fundraising efforts underway for a food drive to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association

14. Contact Information • To read complete paper, visit: www.alz.org/cacentralcoast • Sara Bartlett, LCSW Area Director, San Luis Obispo County Regional Office Alzheimer’s Association, California Central Coast Chapter (805) 547-3830 (San Luis Obispo) (805) 892-4259 (Chapter Headquarters) sara.bartlett@alz.org • Bettina Hodel, PhD. bhodel@ash.dmh.ca.gov • Heriberto Sanchez, PhD. heriberto.sanchez@cdcr.ca.gov