Efficacy of COMPAs, an App Designed to Support Communication Between Persons Living With Dementia in Long-Term Care Settings and Their Caregivers: Mixed Methods Implementation Study (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND People living with dementia experience autonomy loss, and require caregiver support on a daily basis. Dementia is characterized by progressive communication disorders; a decrease in exchanges leading to isolation in both the person living with dementia and the caregiver, who also experiences stress and increasing burden, making caregivers particularly susceptible to burnout. This has negative effects on the dyad’s members’ quality of life. OBJECTIVE This study examines the efficacy of COMPAs, an app designed on principles of person-centred and emotional communication, aimed at improving well-being in persons living with dementia and caregivers, and reducing the caregiver’s burden METHODS In this implementation study of COMPAs in the public care system, caregivers in two long-term care facilities were trained for the use of COMPAs, and strategies to improve communication with persons living with dementia. Measures were taken before and after 8 weeks of using COMPAs. Qualitative and quantitative analyses, including focus groups, semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were completed. RESULTS The use of COMPAs improved the quality of communication within the dyad as well as the quality of life, reduced caregiver burden, and increased their feeling of personal accomplishment CONCLUSIONS COMPAs contributes to the well-being of a person living with dementia and their caregivers and represents an important tool to improve person-centred communication.