The Savvy Caregiver program: the demonstrated effectiveness of a transportable dementia caregiver psychoeducation program.
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 com parable 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.
Hepburn
Kenneth
K
Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. khepbur@emory.edu
Lewis
Marsha
M
Tornatore
Jane
J
Sherman
Carey Wexler
CW
Bremer
Karin Lindstrom
KL
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D003479:Curriculum; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017145:Models, Educational; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States