Caregiver Preparedness: A Therapeutic Mechanism and Moderating Factor on Outcomes for the Savvy Caregiver Program

ABSTRACTObjectives Evidence-based interventions for dementia caregivers, such as the Savvy Caregiver Program (SC), seek to address skills and knowledge deficits, caregiver burden, depressive symptoms, and grief. Little research has examined mechanisms by which these interventions accomplish their goals. Caregiver preparedness may be a possible mechanism by which caregiver interventions may confer benefits.Methods The sample included 76 dementia caregivers who completed the 6-session SC. Participants completed the Anticipatory Grief Scale, Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale, and the Zarit Burden Interview-Short Form.Results A repeated measures ANOVA was utilized to determine the interaction between baseline scores and pre-post change in caregiver preparedness. Analysis significantly predicted caregiver burden, (F(1) = 6.68, p=.012, partial η2=.10), depressive symptom endorsement, (F(1) = 6.41, p=.014, partial η2=.09, and anticipatory grief, (F(1) = 6.22, p=.02, partial η2=.1), post-treatment.Conclusions Pre-post change in caregiver preparedness significantly predicted pre-post change across measures of caregiver burden, depressive symptom endorsement, and anticipatory grief. Findings suggest that caregiver preparedness may be one mechanism by which the SC confers positive outcomes. These findings provide an empirical and theoretical basis for tailoring future dementia caregiver interventions.Clinical Implications Clinical Interventions may seek to improve caregiver preparedness and subsequent outcomes through utilization of programs like SC.KEYWORDS: Alzheimer’s disease and related dementiascaregivingdementia Clinical Implications Findings support the use of Savvy Caregiver Program for dementia caregivers in community settings.Caregiver preparedness is a correlate of conceptually downstream manifestations of caregiver distress. It may also capture clinically relevant information to determine therapeutic success of caregiver interventions.Emerging clinical interventions and modification of existing interventions may to seek to emphasize promotion of caregiver preparedness through skills development, dementia knowledge, and structured problem solving.AcknowledgmentsThis study was made possible by a partnership between a local non-profit organization that specializes in the delivery of support and organization of community resources for caregivers of those with dementia (EG), and university personnel (DP, TW, NM). Additionally, we are grateful to Dr. Kenneth Hepburn for consulting on this study.Disclosure statementAt the time of this writing, Dr. Daniel Paulson is a member of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center (ADRC), a local nonprofit agency through which the data used in this study was collected. During the period of this manuscript preparation, Dr. Paulson is completing a program evaluation for ADRC, for which his employer, University of Central Florida, was reimbursed.Data availability statementThe data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, DP, upon reasonable request.Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by National Institute of Health’s Loan Repayment Program [1L30AG051535-01].