A Mixed-Methods Formative Evaluation of a Dementia-Friendly Congregation Program for Black Churches.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Community Health

Background:

• Black churches are vital community hubs but often lack dementia support programs.
• Families living with dementia require accessible, culturally relevant resources.
• The Alter™ program aims to bridge this gap by engaging faith communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the formative implementation of the Alter™ program in Black churches.
• To assess the helpfulness, utility, and challenges of program activities and modifications.
• To identify areas for program improvement and sustainability.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods evaluation using surveys and focus groups with church partner ambassadors (n=8 survey, n=11 focus group).
• Data collection on the perceived helpfulness, difficulty, and utility of program components.
• Assessment of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on program implementation.

Main Results:

• Most partnership activities and modifications were found to be at least moderately helpful.
• Key themes emerged regarding implementation barriers, support needs, and funding.
• The evaluation identified specific areas for program refinement.

Conclusions:

• Formative evaluation is crucial for refining community-based dementia-friendly initiatives.
• Program modifications based on this evaluation can enhance the well-being of families affected by dementia.
• The Alter™ program offers a scalable model for faith communities to support individuals with dementia.