Surviving and Thriving: Qualitative Results from a Multi-Year, Multidimensional Intervention to Promote Well-Being among Caregivers of Adults with Dementia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

MearaH. Faw¹  Deana Davalos²  JenniferE. Cross³  India Luxton³ 

[1] Department of Communication Studies, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;Department of Sociology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;

关键词: caregiving;    dementia;    psychosocial interventions;    longitudinal interventions;    arts engagement;    social support;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph18094755

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

(1) Introduction: Caring for an adult with dementia is both challenging and rewarding. Research indicates that community-based, social support, and/or arts engagement interventions can play a key role in ameliorating the negative outcomes associated with caregiving while enhancing its more positive attributes. This study explores the psychosocial outcomes experienced by dementia caregivers who participated in a multi-year, multidimensional intervention aimed at promoting caregiver and care recipient well-being. This intervention included bringing caregivers and people with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias (ADRD) to local symphony performances, hosting a social reception prior to the performance, and assessing the outcomes of participation for both caregiver and the care recipient. (2) Materials, Methods, and Analysis: Qualitative data from participant phone interviews (n = 55) as well as focus groups are analyzed using thematic analysis from a phenomenological perspective. (3) Results: Across three years of participation, caregivers reported three main program benefits: relationship building (both with other participants as well as within the broader community); restored humanity (experiencing a greater sense of personal dignity and momentary return to normalcy), and positivity (experiencing positive emotions during the program). (4) Discussion: These findings point to the value of creating caregiver programming that brings together multiple dimensions of successful interventions in order to enhance caregiver experiences and positive intervention outcomes.

【 授权许可】

Unknown