title: Addressing everyday challenges: feasibility of a family caregiver training program for people with dementia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and efficacy of the Family Caregiver Training Program for assisting with the basic activities of daily living of people with dementia. METHOD. A one-group pretest-posttest research design with a 3-mo follow-up was used to examine the efficacy of a manualized education program for caregivers. The 6-hr training was delivered to 72 family caregivers over 3 consecutive weeks (2 hr/wk) by trained clinicians. RESULTS. Caregivers showed a significant gain in knowledge of how to effectively assist with communication and nutrition, t(52) = 7.05, p < .000; transfers and toileting, t(45) = 3.10, p < .003; and bathing and dressing, t(44) = 2.71, p < .01, of their care recipients. CONCLUSION. Our findings demonstrate that this manualized intervention protocol is a promising method of equipping family members with the skills needed to face their everyday challenges in caring for people with dementia.
authors.affiliation: Rosanne DiZazzo-Miller, DrOT, OTRL, CDP, is Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy Program, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 259 Mack Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201; ar7975@wayne.edu.
authors.forename: Rosanne
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: DiZazzo-Miller
authors.affiliation: Preethy S. Samuel, PhD, OTRL, is Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy Program, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
authors.forename: Preethy S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Samuel
authors.affiliation: Jean M. Barnas, MA, is Program Coordinator, Minds on Art Program, in collaboration with the Detroit Institute of Arts, Southfield, MI.
authors.forename: Jean M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Barnas
authors.affiliation: Keith M. Welker, MA, is Research Assistant, Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
authors.forename: Keith M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Welker
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D003142:Communication; D003704:Dementia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D004032:Diet; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055805:Moving and Lifting Patients; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult