Evaluating the impact of facilitated discussion series in improving dementia caregiver stress, resiliency and well‐being

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundEmotional stress stemming from the complex grief associated with dementia care takes a greater toll on a family caregiver’s health than the physical effort of providing care. Finding Meaning and Hope is a 10‐week workshop for caregivers of persons with dementia, designed to promote understanding of grief and teach self‐care concepts that help mitigate stress. Each video session features Dr. Pauline Boss, author of Loving Someone Who Has Dementia: How to Find Hope While Coping with Stress and Grief, sharing self‐care strategies with real‐life caregivers, and is followed by a facilitator‐led discussion. Home practice activities help caregivers incorporate focal self‐care strategies into their daily lives. This research aimed to assess the relationship between participating in the workshops and caregiver outcomes in stress and well‐being.Methods108 caregivers, 85 percent age 60 and older, completed the workshops during 2019. Two standardized instruments were administered before and after workshop participation: the 12‐item Caregiver Self‐Assessment Questionnaire (American Medical Association, 2015) and the 11‐item Sense of Competence Questionnaire (Vernooij‐Dassen, 2008). Changes in scores were assessed using Analysis of Variance or Difference of Proportions.ResultsParticipation in more than half the sessions had a positive impact on stress management, emotional well‐being, and coping, but fewer gains were made by caregivers with health limitations and those who began the workshops with lower emotional well‐being. The workshops can be strengthened by supporting consistent session attendance and individually tailoring self‐care strategies to caregivers’ unique needs.ConclusionFamily caregivers’ mental and emotional health has been negatively impacted by the COVID‐19 pandemic (Czeisler et al. 2020). Strategies that foster caregivers’ ability to manage stress and bolster well‐being are vital in enabling them to continue care provision during a time when isolation may exacerbate the challenges of caregiving. Interventions like Finding Meaning and Hope offer a promising approach.