Piloting a Dementia Caregiver Intervention in a Primary Care Setting

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the efficacy of a theoretically based, 6-week dementia caregiver support group in a primary care setting.

Methods: Using a quasi-experimental design, 22 participants completed the caregiver support group. Participants were mostly in their mid-60 s (M = 63 years old), female (n = 19), Caucasian (n = 14), and identified as either the care recipient's child or spouse (n = 19). At baseline and 6 weeks, participants completed self-report measures related to demographic information, caregiver preparedness, strain, and depressive symptoms, and care recipient's neuropsychiatric symptoms. Participants also completed a satisfaction survey. Within-subjects t-tests were run to determine if participants' scores changed over time.

Results: Results revealed that participants demonstrated a significant increase in mean caregiver preparedness scores. No significant effects were found for caregiver strain, depressive symptoms, and distress related to neuropsychiatric symptoms. Participants rated being largely satisfied with the program.

Conclusions: Results suggest that this 6-week caregiver support group may be a promising caregiver intervention in primary care clinics.

Clinical implications: Findings support the importance of caregiver support for persons with dementia in primary care.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Informal caregiving; family caregiving; integrated care; long-term care.