Volunteering of Former Caregivers: A Pilot Intervention Study in the Chinese American Community

To enhance caregivers' wellbeing during the post-caregiving transition, we developed a culturally tailored peer mentoring program (PMP) that trains former family caregivers of individuals with dementia to serve as volunteer mentors for current dementia caregivers in the Chinese American community. Using a mixed-method design, we evaluated the feasibility and preliminary effects of the PMP, which included 8 former caregivers and 38 current caregivers in New York City. The program demonstrated strong feasibility, reflected in high retention, fidelity, and positive feedback from former caregivers. Although quantitative data did not show significant improvements in former caregivers' mental health, qualitative data indicated an enhanced sense of purpose, personal growth, and social connections. These results underscore the need to refine the intervention manual and examine its effectiveness in a larger-scale study.