Implementation and evaluation of a self-care toolkit for caregivers of families with dementia.

Autor: Smith CW; Capstone College of Nursing, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama., Graves BA
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners [J Am Assoc Nurse Pract] 2020 Jul 29; Vol. 33 (10), pp. 831-837. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Jul 29.
DOI: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000469
Abstrakt: Background: Family caregivers who care for individuals with dementia are more likely to develop chronic stress, major depression, anxiety, and physical health disorders and they have a higher mortality rate compared with the general population.
Local Problem: Caregivers are at an increased risk of physical and mental disorders. Many report that they are fatigued and need more forms of support.
Methods: This project involved a convenience sample of 35 family caregivers who cared for family with dementia. Prequestionnaires and postquestionnaires were used to determine improvements in caregiver health and well-being and caregiver resources for supportive services as well as reduction in caregiver stress.
Interventions: An evidence-based educational class was developed and implemented based on the Family Care Alliance (FCA): Taking Care of YOU: Self-Care for Family Caregivers Toolkit. The project aimed to (1) assess two FCA recommended domains: caregiver health and well-being and caregiver resources for supportive services and (2) reduce caregiver stress.
Results: Stress Inventory results showed notable change in high risk/low risk categorization from pretest to posttest. At pretest, 31 caregivers were categorized as at high risk for unhealthy levels of stress, but posttest showed only 9 caregivers were so categorized. Approximately, 70% of those at high risk at pretest were categorized as low risk at posttest.
Conclusions: This project validated that evidence-based educational interventions can improve caregiver knowledge and self-care. Continued support may be promoted by incorporating education and offering resource brochures to caregivers during primary care visits.
Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest.
(Copyright © 2020 American Association of Nurse Practitioners.)
Databáze: MEDLINE