Evaluating Perceptions and Educational Needs of Police Officers in the Care of Older Adults with Dementia

Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurocognitive disorders causing memory loss in the older adult population has substantial implications on one’s physical, mental, social, and economic well-being. This quality improvement project aimed to evaluate the perceptions of current resources in place and what educational needs exist for police officers when providing care to older adults with dementia. The project intervention included an evidence-based online survey intended to assess police officers’ sociodemographic information, previous exposure to dementia training, participants’ baseline dementia knowledge, general caring beliefs, and attitudes toward individuals with dementia. Most (97%; n = 28 of 29) respondents completed the surveys. Over half (64%) of respondents admitted to never receiving specialized training for dementia and 61% of respondents admitted to knowing someone in a professional setting with dementia. The overall average score of the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) questions was 76%, but there were 5 total questions that were answered correctly by less than 60% of respondents. The lowest scoring domains of questions from the DKAS included the “Communication and Behavior” domain and the “Risks and Health Promotion” domain. The data was interpreted and recommendations were made to inform the development of a 20-hour continuing education certificate course for first responders entitled, “Compassionate Care of Older Adults at Risk for Dementia.” The project results demonstrated the lack of formal training in dementia among police officers and emphasized areas of strength and areas of opportunity to learn more about caring for those with dementia. This project holds future application for learning about dementia among other first responder disciplines, such as firefighters or paramedics, including the administration of a post survey following the pilot program of the first responder continuing education certificate course.