Abstract
Objectives: This measurement study operationalized family caregiver skill in managing behavioral symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) by testing a Caregiver Assessment of Behavioral Skill-Self-Report (CAB-SR) measure.
Method: A cross-sectional design was used. Caregivers had a family member with possible/probable AD, resided at home with the care recipient and provided the majority of care (N = 82). The mail-administered assessment included the CAB-SR and other care recipient and caregiver measures.
Results: Preliminary CAB-SR reliability and validity were determined using reliability, factor analytic and correlational procedures.
Conclusion: This measure provides a preliminary assessment of caregiver skill in managing behavioral symptoms of AD and shows promise for use in research and clinical intervention settings.
Acknowledgments
This project was supported by National Institute of Nursing Research and National Institute on Aging R01 NR 04561, P30 AG10161. The authors thank family caregivers, and faculty and staff at the Rush University College of Nursing and RADC who have participated in various phases of this research program: Danielle Arends RN, GNP, Julie Bach, LCSW, MSW, Barbara Eubeler, Susan Frick, MSW, Karen L. Graham, MSEd, Dimitra Loukissa, PhD, RN, Olimpia Paun, PhD, RN, Suzanne Perraud, PhD, RN, Raj C. Shah, MD, Elanda Shannon, Pamela A. Smith, MEd, and Anna Treinkman, RN, ANP. We also acknowledge the significant contribution of Dr David W. Gilley, to the conceptualization and grant writing in preparation for this study.