Utilizing the Senior Companion Program as a platform for a culturally informed caregiver intervention: Results from a...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Psychology

Background:

• Alzheimer's disease and related dementias disproportionately affect minority populations.
• Accessible, affordable, and sustainable interventions are needed for these caregivers.
• Existing interventions often do not meet the specific needs of African American caregivers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Senior Companion Program Plus, a novel psychoeducational intervention.
• To determine if the intervention improved caregiver burden, stress, coping skills, and social support.
• To assess the feasibility and benefits of a lay provider, peer-led model for Alzheimer's caregivers.

Main Methods:

• A three-phase pilot study employing a mixed-methods experimental design.
• Intervention design informed by focus groups with Senior Companions.
• Quantitative and qualitative data collection from African American Alzheimer's disease and related dementia caregivers (N=16).

Main Results:

• Caregivers reported improved overall social support and well-being in meeting basic needs.
• Qualitative data indicated enhanced disease knowledge and coping strategies.
• Caregivers benefited from the lay provider model, suggesting its effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• The Senior Companion Program Plus shows promise as an effective intervention for African American Alzheimer's disease and related dementia caregivers.
• The lay provider, peer-led approach is a viable and beneficial model.
• Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in larger, diverse populations.