Virtual Dementia-Friendly Communities (Verily Connect) Stepped-Wedge Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial: Improving Dementia Caregiver Wellbeing in Rural Australia-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Virtual Dementia-Friendly Communities (Verily Connect) Stepped-Wedge Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial: Improving Dementia Caregiver Wellbeing in Rural Australia

Published:2023-08-25 Issue:5 Volume:8 Page:85
ISSN:2308-3417
Container-title:Geriatrics
language:en
Short-container-title:Geriatrics

Author:

Blackberry Irene¹²^ORCID,Rasekaba Tshepo¹^ORCID,Morgan Debra³^ORCID,Royals Kayla¹,Greenhill Jennene⁴,Perkins David⁵⁶^ORCID,O’Connell Megan⁷,Hamiduzzaman Mohammad⁸^ORCID,Winbolt Margaret⁹,Robinson Ainsley¹⁰,Davis Hilary¹¹,Wilding Clare¹^ORCID

Affiliation:

1. John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Wodonga, VIC 3689, Australia

2. Care Economy Research Institute, La Trobe University, Wodonga, VIC 3689, Australia

3. Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada

4. Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Bilinga, QLD 4225, Australia

5. School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2300, Australia

6. Mental Health Policy Unit, Health Services Research Institute, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2617, Australia

7. Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A5, Canada

8. Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

9. Australian Institute for Primary Care and Ageing, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia

10. Goulburn Valley Health, Shepparton, VIC 3630, Australia

11. Social Innovation Research Institute, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia

Abstract

Caring for people living with dementia often leads to social isolation and decreased support for caregivers. This study investigated the effect of a Virtual Dementia-Friendly Rural Communities (Verily Connect) model on social support and demand for caregivers of people living with dementia. The co-designed intervention entailed an integrated website and mobile application, peer-support videoconference, and technology learning hubs. This mixed-methods, stepped-wedge, cluster-randomised controlled trial was conducted with 113 participants from 12 rural communities in Australia. Caregiver data were collected using MOS-SSS and ZBI between 2018 and 2020. The relationship between post-intervention social support with age, years of caring, years since diagnosis, and duration of intervention were explored through correlation analysis and thin plate regression. Google Analytics were analysed for levels of engagement, and cost analysis was performed for implementation. Results showed that caregivers’ perception of social support (MOS-SSS) increased over 32 weeks (p = 0.003) and there was a marginal trend of less care demand (ZBI) among caregivers. Better social support was observed with increasing caregiver age until 55 years. Younger caregivers (aged <55 years) experienced the greatest post-intervention improvement. The greatest engagement occurred early in the trial, declining sharply thereafter. The Verily Connect model improved caregivers’ social support and appeared to ease caregiver demand.

Funder

Australian Government, Department of Health, Dementia and Aged Care Services

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Geriatrics and Gerontology,Gerontology,Aging,Health (social science)

Link

https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/8/5/85/pdf

Reference39 articles.

1. Prevalence of dementia subtypes in United States Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries, 2011–2013;Goodman;Alzheimer’s Dement.,2017

2. Family Caregiving of Persons with Dementia: Prevalence, Health Effects, and Support Strategies;Schulz;Am. J. Geriatr. Psychiatry,2004

3. Dementia Caregiver Burden Association with Community Participation Aspect of Social Capital;Papastavrou;J. Adv. Nurs.,2015

4. The experiences of therapy from the perspectives of carers of people with dementia: An exploratory study;Elvish;Couns. Psychother. Res.,2014

5. Carers of people aged over 50 with physical impairment, memory loss and dementia: A comparative study;Schofield;Ageing Soc.,1998