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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2023 Sep;42(3):508-516.
doi: 10.1111/ajag.13169. Epub 2022 Dec 22.

Dementia lifestyle coach pilot program

Lee-Fay Low  1 , Annica Barcenilla-Wong  1 , Michael Fitzpatrick  1 , Kate Swaffer  2   3 , Henry Brodaty  4 , Nicola Hancock  1 , James McLoughlin  5 , Sharon Naismith  6
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Dementia lifestyle coach pilot program

Lee-Fay Low et al. Australas J Ageing. 2023 Sep.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to conduct a feasibility pilot of the Dementia Lifestyle Coach program; an individual coaching and counselling program for people recently diagnosed with dementia, to help them to adjust to the diagnosis and live well.

Methods: A randomised controlled pilot trial (n = 11) with wait-list control group was undertaken over 12 months. Intervention group participants received immediate personalised counselling from a registered psychologist and monthly support (face-to-face or by telephone) from a trained peer mentor living with dementia. The wait-listed control group commenced treatment 6 months after baseline.

Results: Recruitment and delivery of the Dementia Lifestyle Coach program was highly feasible. The program was acceptable, with nine of the 11 participants describing benefits including informational and emotional support, improving their outlook and mood, and family relationships. The planned program was adapted to participants' individual needs.

Conclusions: This small pilot showed that it is feasible to recruit for and deliver a counselling and peer mentoring program for people recently diagnosed with dementia. A larger hybrid implementation randomised control trial should be conducted to evaluate efficacy and effectiveness.

Keywords: dementia; lifestyle coaching; peer mentoring; postdiagnostic support; randomised controlled trial.

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Conflict of interest statement

Lee‐Fay Low has collaborations with Dementia Australia who are funded to deliver post‐diagnostic counselling and peer support. No other conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Dementia lifestyle coach study flow chart.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Low L‐F, Swaffer K, McGrath M, Brodaty H. Do people with early stage dementia experience prescribed disengagement®? A systematic review of qualitative studies. Int Psychogeriatr. 2017;30(6):807‐831. - PubMed

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