Managing Your Own Wellness (MYOW): Intervention for improving wellness through dementia care partner’s self‐care

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundCaring for a person living with dementia (PLWD) can be a stressful and straining experience for family/friend care partners (CP), often leading to an increased risk for adverse psychosocial and health outcomes (e.g., depression, anxiety, mortality). Engaging in self‐care can reduce these risks and improve health. Yet, comprehensive tools that measure self‐care as a dynamic concept in the context of dementia caregiving do not exist. “Managing Your Own Wellness” [MYOW] checklist was created and validated to capture dementia CP self‐care behaviors and to inform the development of a brief, tailored person‐centered intervention. The study’s objective was to pilot test this intervention, with the ultimate goal of informing a new generation of CP interventions that address the complex and wide range of self‐care needs.MethodNineteen primary dementia CPs completed the study and participated in the baseline visit to establish a self‐care goal, three weekly check‐in coaching visits with the interventionist, and a final exit interview at week four. Measures at baseline, week four, and week 12 included MYOW, well‐being scale, single item tool for perceived strain and stress, and screening tools for depression and anxiety. Participants completed daily tracking forms to report their engagement and perception of progress in their selected self‐care activity. All interviews were transcribed and coded using thematic content analysis. Study measures were evaluated using correlation analyses.ResultsCP’s increased engagement in self‐care activities and improved sense of well‐being were captured by quantitative measures. Qualitative analysis revealed themes involving a change in relationship dynamics, evolution of the sense of self, shift in internal personal perspective (acceptance) and its effects on CP behaviors (increased patience, less frustration), and perception of PLWD interactions (more cooperative).ConclusionMYOW intervention had high acceptability and demonstrated high potential for broad dissemination. CP engaged in developing and following through on personalized self‐care goals and in tracking their progress. The impact of self‐care is dynamic and multi‐faceted. Focusing on brief daily wellness‐related activities has mutual benefits for CP and PLWD. Future research should be focused on further simplifying intervention protocols and measures and evaluating the intervention with a larger diverse sample of CP.