Self-Efficacy and Sleep Among Caregivers of Older Adults With Dementia: Effect of an Interprofessional Virtual Healthcare Neighborhood

An Interprofessional Virtual Healthcare Neighborhood (VHN) was designed to deliver information, peer support, and professional guidance to caregivers of individuals with dementia. The VHN was also enhanced with an actigraphy band to monitor caregivers' sleep. The study sample comprised two groups (N = 28): caregivers participating in the VHN and those receiving usual care. Measures of sleep quality and quantity, using an actigraphy band; general self-efficacy, using the General Self-Efficacy Scale; and insomnia, using the Insomnia Severity Index, were measured pre- and postintervention for the intervention and comparison groups. Neither group reported significant changes in sleep quality or quantity over time. Insomnia severity decreased for both groups. Self-efficacy became worse for the comparison group, yet remained virtually unchanged for the intervention group. Overall, the current study also showed an effective use of technology to reach homebound caregivers of older adults with dementia. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 42(11), 39-47.].