An Educational Program for Carers of People with Dementia helping with Everyday Tasks
Carmen Amato1, Gemma Burridge1, Karen Liu2 1Occupational Therapy, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, Sydney, NSW, Australia2Occupational Therapy, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Abstract
Increased burden, decreased quality of life (QoL), and difficulties in caring are reported by family/friend carers when assisting people with dementia in everyday activities (ADL’s). The geriatric team at Liverpool Hospital identified limited resources for carers in assisting people with dementia in ADL’s. There was a strong need to develop an everyday-task-focussed educational program to assist carers in daily activities for people with dementia.
This study aimed to pilot-test the education program’s acceptability and effectiveness on carer burden, quality of life, and performance in ADL’s for their care-recipient.
The program was developed based on carer-reported useful strategies. Sixteen informal dementia family/friend carers received the educational program. It consisted of one educational session, three follow-up phone calls, and a final home visit/phone call. Pre- and post-program outcomes were collected and compared, including the Zarit Burden Interview, Adult Carer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire, and Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study-ADL Scale. A post-program acceptability questionnaire was completed, with median scores reported.
Results indicated significant improvement in carers’ ‘Personal Growth’ in QoL (p=.03). The care-recipients’ performance on ‘Conversation’ (p=.03) and ‘Shopping’ (p=.02) also showed significant improvements. However, no significant difference was made on the caregivers’ perceived burden (p=.26). Carers feedback showed that the program was highly acceptable.
This study provided preliminary evidence on the program’s effectiveness on carers’ QoL and care-recipients’ participation in ADL’s, demonstrating improved dementia carers well-being and some areas of care-recipient’s performance in ADL’s. The program had good acceptability. Further research is planned to deliver the education program widely to carers and healthcare professionals.
Biography
Carmen Amato and Gemma Burridge have over 20 years’ experience working as Occupational Therapists at Liverpool Hospital, with experience in acute and community aged care, emergency, acute and general medicine. Carmen is the Team Leader for Occupational Therapy services (Aged Care Team) and Gemma works in the Emergency Department and provides team cover.
Carmen and Gemma both held honorary appointments to the position of Conjoint Lecturer with the School of Health Sciences, WSU 2019-2022.
The project being presented today won the South West Sydney Local Health District Quality Award in 2021 in the Category of “Patients as Carers and Partners”.