Empirical Evaluation of the “Caregivers Passage through Dementia” on African American Caregivers

ABSTRACT

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to empirically examine a new psychoeducational intervention that was designed for African American caregivers.

Methods

African American caregivers (N = 49) to older adults with dementia were recruited from the community to participate in Universal Dementia Caregivers’ (UCD) Bootcamp. Participants completed a pre- and post-assessment of dementia and caregiving knowledge, and a 30-day follow-up interview.

Results

Caregivers who went through the UCD Bootcamp demonstrated an increase in basic knowledge of dementia, caregiving burden and coping strategies. In follow-up interviews, caregivers reported developing confidence, knowledge, and adaptive changes in attitudes toward self and loved one.

Conclusions

The Bootcamp is a novel psychoeducational intervention that improves caregiver knowledge and confidence. Our model, Caregiver Passage Through Dementia, is a training that can improve caregiver and family members’ quality of life. Additionally, developing culturally sensitive interventions could help address the mistrust that exist in African American communities toward medical systems and research.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians reframing of caregiving as a gift resonates with many African American caregivers. Empowering caregivers through spirituality is often a necessary ingredient to working with African American caregivers. Clinicians need to demonstrate cultural sensitivity when working with African American caregivers.

KEYWORDS:

• Caregivers
• neurological disorders
• dementia
• race/ethnicity
• African American

Clinical implications

• Clinicians reframing of caregiving as a gift resonates with many African Americans caregivers.

• Empowering caregivers through self-nurturance is often a necessary ingredient to working with African American caregivers in helping them become more open to learning about dementia.

• African American caregivers often have higher caregiving demands than other groups of caregivers and thus addressing burnout and recovery has an added importance.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.