Acceptability and Feasibility Results of a Strength-Based Skills Training Program for Dementia Caregiving Dyads Purpose: The current article provides an in-depth description of a dyadic intervention for individuals with dementia and their family caregivers. Using a strength-based approach, caregiving dyads received skills training across 5 key areas: (a) education regarding dementia and memory loss, (b) effective communication, (c) managing memory loss, (d) staying active, and (e) recognizing emotions and behaviors. Results of the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention protocols are also presented. Design and Methods: Caregiving dyads were randomly assigned to participate in the intervention. Participants in the treatment condition were asked to complete a series of evaluation questions after each intervention session and an overall evaluation of the program. Data were also collected from the intervention specialists who implemented the protocols. Results: Overall, the evaluation data indicated that the content and process of the intervention were viewed as highly acceptable and feasible by both participants and intervention specialists. Implications: This article highlights the merit of using a strength-based approach for working with caregiving dyads with dementia and how a single intervention protocol can be used to address the goals of both care partners. Furthermore, the intervention program was found to be highly acceptable and feasible, which is an important aspect of developing dyadic protocols. Read more
Stress Process Model for Individuals with Dementia Purpose: Individuals with dementia (IWDs) face particular challenges in managing and coping with their illness. The experience of dementia may be affected by the etiology, stage, and severity of symptoms, preexisting and related chronic conditions, and available informal and formal supportive services. Although several studies have examined particular features of IWD’s illness experience, few draw upon a conceptual model that outlines the global illness experience and the resulting stressors that commence with symptom onset, proliferate over time, and continue through the later stages of cognitive loss. Building on the work of Pearlin and colleagues (1990, Caregiving and the stress process: An overview of concepts and their measures. The Gerontologist, 30, 583–594), this article proposes a stress process model (SPM) for IWDs that conceptualizes and examines the illness experience of IWDs. Implications: The proposed SPM for IWDs serves as a guide to (a) consider and understand the short- and long-term complexities of the illness experience for IWDs, (b) investigate specific hypotheses by outlining key stressors in the illness experience and by positing relationships among stressors and outcomes, and (c) help inform the development of interventions to prevent or reduce the negative stressors and enhance the positive experiences of living with a dementing illness. Read more
Impact of Arts Participation on Health Outcomes for Older Adults The objective of this study was to present findings from a literature review on the documented health benefits of arts programs for older adults. A systematic literature review was conducted to examine research publications on participatory arts programs for older adults and their reported impact on health outcomes. A total of 2,205 articles were found. Of these, 11 were eligible for inclusion. The review describes the effects of participation in art programs on a variety of health outcomes. The small number of empirical studies documenting the health impact and limitations in their design prohibit broad generalizations, however, findings suggest there are physical and mental health benefits for older adults from arts participation. Read more
Strengthening the Direct Care Workforce Preliminary Recommendations from a National Panel of Experts in Long-Term Care Read more
How Well Do Family Caregivers Know Their Relatives’ Care Values and Preferences Purpose: This study examines the psychometric properties of the Values and Preferences Scale (VPS) and compares the responses of 267 persons with cognitive impairment with the responses of their family caregivers to determine the accuracy of the caregivers’ perceptions of their relatives’ care values and preferences. Design and Methods: Exploratory factor analyses examined whether a consistent factor structure could be found for the VPS for both persons with cognitive impairment (PWCIs) and family caregivers. Analyses also determined whether family caregivers were accurate in their perceptions of their relative’s care preferences. Results: Results indicated that the VPS was best divided into four factors or subscales (i.e., Burden, Safety/Quality of Care, Autonomy, and Social Interactions) all of which were found to have adequate internal consistency for persons with cognitive impairment and family caregivers. Caregivers generally had a good sense of what preferences were most important to their relatives (i.e., issues of safety and quality of care), but often underestimated the importance of certain values and preferences. Implications: These findings support previous work suggesting that practitioners consider incorporating an assessment of val Read more
Predictors of Quality of Life for Individuals with Dementia Implications for Intervention Although a growing number of investigations examine the lived experience of individuals with dementia (IWDs), few draw upon a conceptual model to explore inter-relationships among background characteristics, stressors, and outcomes (Menne, 2006). This study is guided by a conceptual model that draws upon the broader stress literature to examine predictors of IWD quality of life. Relying primarily on IWD self-reported data (n = 211), multivariate ordinary least squares regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of IWDs’ quality of life. Results indicate that IWDs who report poorer quality of life are more likely to be African-American, have a non-spousal caregiver, have more depressive symptoms, be less involved in daily decision-making, and have more negative strain with their caregiver. These findings are discussed in the context of current and practical interventions that address the strengths and needs of IWDs and their family caregivers. Read more
Factors Affecting Frontline Workers’ Satisfaction with Supervision Objective: This research was guided by a stress and support model to examine the effects of frontline workers’ background characteristics, personal stressors, job-related stressors, and workplace support on satisfaction with supervision. Methods: Survey data were collected from 644 workers in 49 long-term–care settings that employed them. Regression analysis were used to determine the effects of worker level and then Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) and organizational factors on the outcome. Results: Although all four variable categories made significant contributions to explaining satisfaction with supervision, the most powerful were personal stressors and job-related stressors. Results from HLM analysis showed frontline workers in nursing homes and those employed in for-profit organizations had lower levels of satisfaction with supervision. Discussion: Findings suggest organizational interventions to address workers’ financial and health issues and management practices such as better training programs and peer mentoring could enhance workers’ satisfaction with supervision. Read more
Informal Caregivers Communication and Decision Making Communicating about care preferences can improve the well-being of caregivers and care recipients. Read more
Decision-Making Involvement Scale for Individuals with Dementia and Family Caregivers This report describes the development and preliminary psychometric properties of the Decision-Making Involvement Scale for individuals with dementia and family caregivers. Data were collected from 217 individuals with dementia and their respective caregivers. Principal axis factor analysis, Kendall τ, and Pearson correlations were used to determine the Decision- Making Involvement Scale’s psychometric properties, mean differences of caregiver and individual with dementia, and the relationship between scores of Decision-Making Involvement Scale and measures of well-being. Analyses support a reliable, 1-factor solution of the Decision-Making Involvement Scale for both individuals with dementia and caregivers. Sociodemographic, impairment, and well-being variables are differentially related to the perceptions of how involved the individual with dementia is in decision making. The Decision-Making Involvement Scale provides useful information about daily decision making of an individual with dementia, and it shows promise as a means for understanding the relationship between decision-making involvement and well-being of individuals with dementia and caregivers. Read more
