Evaluating a Multicomponent Caregiver Intervention

Abstract

There is compelling evidence that caring for an elderly individual with functional limitations is physically and psychologically stressful. The purpose of this study is to test a multimodal caregiver intervention of ethnically and racially diverse caregivers. We sought to examine if caregivers (n=199) of older adults with physical and/or cognitive problems experienced improved depression and caregiver outcomes after participating in a community-based Caregiver Support/Training Program (CS/TP). Using a single group pretest--post-test design, caregiver depression decreased significantly. Specifically, caregivers were more likely to report higher positive affect at post-test. Although caregivers reported decreased caregiver burden, the difference was not statistically significant. One-way ANOVAs were also conducted to look at group differences. The findings of this study will help practitioners understand the importance of developing more targeted interventions that take specific ethnic and cultural characteristics of caregivers into consideration.

Evaluating a Multi-Component Spanish Caregiver Monolingual Intervention

“…There was no significant change with respect to caregiver burden. This is similar to the original Caregiver Support/Training program in which only depression was significantly lowered [35]. While the original intervention included all racial and ethnic groups, approximately two-thirds were Hispanics.…”

“…The current study adds to the sparse literature on Hispanic caregivers by evaluating a multicomponent Spanish Caregiver Support/Training Program (CS/TP) for monolingual Spanish caregivers. This builds off of the multicomponent CS/TP done for all racial groups [35]. The findings from the initial project, which was performed in Los Angeles, showed a demonstrated need for a monolingual CS/TP.…”

“…Similarly, Hepburn et al, [34] found that caregivers in the psycho-educational program reported improvement in burden and well being, and increased skill, knowledge and confidence. The results of the original Caregiver Support and Training Program (CS/TP) study, which was a multicomponent intervention developed from the Gallagher-Thompson's "Coping with Caregiving" (CWC) Program, found significant improvement in depression [35].…”

“…The findings from the initial project, which was performed in Los Angeles, showed a demonstrated need for a monolingual CS/TP. There was an overwhelming representation of Hispanics and of those, almost half (46%) said that their primary language at home was Spanish [35].…”