Developing and testing a self-care intervention for older adults in caregiving roles.
BACKGROUND
Theory-based interventions incorporating a self-care perspective for health promotion and protection are needed for older adults. The Self-Care for Health Promotion in Aging (S-CHPA) model provided the basis for development of an intervention focused on promoting health among older adults who provide care for their spouses with dementia.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the development of a theory-based intervention (Self-Care Talk) and to describe the process of evaluating the implementation of the intervention when it was pilot tested with older spouse caregivers of persons with dementia.


METHODS
The S-CHPA model was used to guide development of Self-Care Talk, a series of telephone-based sessions between advanced practice nurses and older adults. Session content included practicing healthy habits, building self-esteem, focusing on the positive, avoiding role overload, communicating, and building meaning. Specific self-care strategies were explored in the context of an individual's experiences, relationships, and condition. Intervention implementation was evaluated using Lichstein's criteria of delivery, receipt, and enactment.


RESULTS
Six spouse caregivers of persons with dementia participated in the pilot study. The education and support intervention was delivered as intended (delivery). Participants reported understanding session content (receipt), and planned to use the information (enactment). Participants also reported an increased awareness about self-care practices and offered specific examples of how they intended to practice better self-care.


CONCLUSIONS
The theory-based Self-Care Talk intervention can be implemented as intended and is ready for use in future randomized clinical trials with older spouse caregivers of persons with dementia.
Teel
Cynthia S
CS
Administration Division, University of Kansas School of Nursing, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. cteel@kumc.edu
Leenerts
Mary H
MH
D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses