The Savvy Caregiver Program: The Demonstrated Effectiveness of a Transportable Dementia Caregiver Psychoeducation Program

Abstract

<h4></h4> <p>This article is about the trial of a transportable psychoeducation program for family caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias that was based on a program developed and previously tested in an academic setting. Family caregivers were recruited by agencies in three states and invited to participate in a randomized trial of this six-session program. Questionnaires were administered prior to randomization and again 5 to 6 months later to assess program effect. A total of 52 caregivers completed both questionnaires (22 were in the wait-list control group). Experimental participants’ scores on measures of mastery and distress were significantly better than control participants’ scores at follow-up (Time 2). Results for this transported program showed benefits to caregivers comparable to those in the previous trials. The program demonstrated that it could be offered in a variety of settings and that it had benefit for caregivers.</p>

Effects of psychosocial interventions on self‐efficacy of dementia caregivers: a literature review

“…Considering the similarity between the treatment groups and the control groups, most of the comparable studies took into account gender, age, time of providing care, and relationship differences. The attrition rate of all the studies was about 10% to 28%, with the exception of Hepburn et al (2007), who attributed their high attrition rate (49%) to possible differences in the education levels of the caregivers. In sum, to achieve satisfactory internal validity, the authors minimized the risk of bias to a moderate to large degree in their methods.…”

“…The course mode among the interventions involved eight group-based (with a group size ranging from 8 to 12), five individual-based, and three distance-contact-based. The group-based interventions (Gitlin et al, 2001;Coon et al, 2003;Waelde et al, 2004;Farran et al, 2007;Hepburn et al, 2007;Au et al, 2010;Oken et al, 2010) consisted of 6 to 14 session, with each session lasting for 90-120 min. The individual-based interventions (Huang et al, 2003;Fortinsky et al, 2009;Carbonneau et al, 2011;Ducharme et al, 2011) showed more promising results for both caregivers and PWD compared with • Significant correlations between mindfulness and self-rated mood and stress scores.…”

Training programmes for family caregivers of people with dementia living at home: integrative review

“…); caregiver's burden scales (Hepburn et al . , Gavrilona et al . , Chien & Lee ); depression scales (Boise et al .…”

“…Regarding the assessment of the family caregiver, the most commonly used instruments are demographic assessment questionnaires (Hepburn et al . , Judge et al . , Chien & Lee , Miller et al .…”

Integrated Memory Care Clinic: Design, Implementation, and Initial Results

“…Caregivers can participate in evidencebased educational programs such as the Savvy Caregiver. 19,20 Aggressive Symptom Management Nearly all PLWD manifest some BPSD, the most serious risk for institutionalization 21 (e.g., apathy, aggression, disinhibition, sleep disturbances, agitation). 8 IMCC's first-line approach to BPSD management is nonpharmacological, through planning and consultation with caregivers and BPSD management education.…”