Clinical Interventions in Aging (Nov 2023)
Investigating the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Impact of a Brief Dementia Awareness for Caregivers (DAC) Course: A Mixed Methods Study
Abstract
Ria Patel,1,* Isabelle Evans,1,* Charlotte R Stoner,2 Aimee Spector1 1Faculty of Brain Sciences, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK; 2Centre for Chronic Illness and Ageing, Institute of Life Course Development, School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College, London, SE10 9LS, UK*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Aimee Spector, Faculty of Brain Sciences, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK, Tel +44 020 7679 1844, Email [email protected]: Informal caregivers are vital in assisting people with dementia. However, this role can significantly impact caregivers’ lives and interventions to support them are crucial. This study aimed to develop a United Kingdom version of the Dementia Awareness for Caregivers (DAC) course and to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of delivering the course online to informal dementia caregivers.Methods: This study comprised a mixed-methods pre-post intervention parallel group design. Fifty-one informal dementia caregivers were randomized into either an experimental (receiving the DAC course) or control group (treatment as usual). Outcomes relating to perceived burden, attitude, competence, relationship quality and positive caregiving aspects were measured at baseline and follow-up, alongside statistics relating to recruitment, retention, attendance, and adherence. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore qualitative acceptability and impact among caregivers who completed the DAC course.Results: The study found high retention and attendance rates with low levels of unexplained attrition. Analysis indicated positive change for four of the outcome measures in favor of the DAC course, however this was not statistically significant. Qualitative analysis generated 11 subthemes organized into four overarching main themes; “acceptability of course”, “impact of course on caregivers”, “using skills from course” and “outcome measures”.Conclusion: Findings provide promising evidence for the feasibility, acceptability and impact of the Dementia Awareness for Caregivers course when delivered online to informal caregivers in the United Kingdom.Keywords: dementia, informal caregivers, intervention, support, psychoeducation
