Participants & Procedure
Eligibility was limited to informal family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which represents more than 60% of all dementias in those sixty-five and older, and with related dementia. In this study, related dementia is Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and other types of dementia. Caregivers with formal training or caregivers of people with non-dementia diagnoses were ineligible. The need for participants was spread through informational flyers, various media outlets, various Alzheimer’s Association outlets, and word of mouth. Seventy-two caregivers who volunteered were asked to participate in the study. They reviewed and signed informed consent forms before proceeding with the training program.
Most of the caregivers were female at 82%. About 39% of the caregivers were 46–60 years old, 29% were 61 years old and older, 25% were 31–45 years old, and 7% were 18–30 years old. About 52% of the caregivers were caring for people with AD. The rest were caring for people with related dementia. Materials & Measures …show more content…
Participants were instructed by professional trainers once a week for two hours (with one short break), over a period of three consecutive weeks, for a total of six hours. The training manual for the Family Caregiver Training Program contained three modules on safe and effective ways of assisting with six ADLs. The first module concentrated on communication and nutrition, with a focus on eating and feeding. The second module focused on toileting and transferring. The third module covered bathing and dressing, including an overview of grooming. Each module included a hands on demonstration in which the caretakers would roleplay by performing the methods on another participant. Data was collected during each of the three modules then during the three month
Eligibility was limited to informal family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which represents more than 60% of all dementias in those sixty-five and older, and with related dementia. In this study, related dementia is Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and other types of dementia. Caregivers with formal training or caregivers of people with non-dementia diagnoses were ineligible. The need for participants was spread through informational flyers, various media outlets, various Alzheimer’s Association outlets, and word of mouth. Seventy-two caregivers who volunteered were asked to participate in the study. They reviewed and signed informed consent forms before proceeding with the training program.
Most of the caregivers were female at 82%. About 39% of the caregivers were 46–60 years old, 29% were 61 years old and older, 25% were 31–45 years old, and 7% were 18–30 years old. About 52% of the caregivers were caring for people with AD. The rest were caring for people with related dementia. Materials & Measures …show more content…
Participants were instructed by professional trainers once a week for two hours (with one short break), over a period of three consecutive weeks, for a total of six hours. The training manual for the Family Caregiver Training Program contained three modules on safe and effective ways of assisting with six ADLs. The first module concentrated on communication and nutrition, with a focus on eating and feeding. The second module focused on toileting and transferring. The third module covered bathing and dressing, including an overview of grooming. Each module included a hands on demonstration in which the caretakers would roleplay by performing the methods on another participant. Data was collected during each of the three modules then during the three month