Worksite-based internet multimedia program for family caregivers of persons with dementia.
OBJECTIVE
Our goal was to evaluate the efficacy of a multimedia support program delivered over the Internet to employed family caregivers of persons with dementia.


METHODS
The evaluation of this program involved 299 employed family caregivers participating in a pretest-posttest randomized clinical trial with a 30-day follow-up and a waitlist control condition. Validated instruments include the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Caregiver Strain scale from Benjamin Rose, and Positive Aspects of Caregiving used in the nationwide REACH study.


RESULTS
Those who viewed Caregiver's Friend: Dealing with Dementia 30 days postexposure demonstrated significant improvements in depression, anxiety, level and frequency of stress, caregiver strain, self-efficacy, and intention to seek help, as well as perceptions of positive aspects of caregiving.


CONCLUSIONS
Interactive multimedia interventions delivered over the Internet appear to be uniquely suited to provide low-cost, effective, convenient, individually tailored programs that present educational information, cognitive and behavioral skills, and affective learning opportunities. This makes Web-based multimedia a promising avenue for work-life balance programs, employee-assistance providers, and organizations interested in improving family caregiver health and well-being.
Beauchamp
Natasha
N
Oregon Center for Applied Science, Eugene, 97403, USA. nbeauchamp@orcasinc.com
Irvine
A Blair
AB
Seeley
John
J
Johnson
Brian
B
D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States; D017132:Workplace