ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF DEMENTIA CARE AND SUPPORT PROGRAM IN BOTH PATIENT AND CAREGIVER OUTCOMES: AN INTERVENTION STUDY
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Date
2019
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Abstract
Introduction: Dementia is one of the priority issues among the public health concerns.This study aims to assess the impact of the Dementia Care and Support Program in caregiversand patients with dementia.Materials and Methods: This study is an intervention study. Dementia Care and SupportProgram was a planned 16-week program. Sixty-one patient–caregiver pairs were randomizedinto two groups, the intervention (n=31) and control groups (n=30). Dementia Care andSupport Program was applied to the intervention group, but the control group receivedroutine hospital care. Data were collected between July and November 2016 from a dementiaoutpatient clinic. While data for patients were collected using the quality-of-life assessmentin Alzheimer’s disease and Neuropsychiatric Inventory, data for caregivers were collectedusing the quality of life SF-36, Beck Depression, Beck Anxiety, and Zarit Caregiver Burden CareInventory.Results: Fifty-four patient–caregiver pairs completed the study. The mean age of thepatients was 76.7±11.2 (46–96) years old. There was no statistically significant difference inthe quality-of-life scores and neuropsychiatric symptom scores between the patient groups(p>0.05). The mean age of caregivers was 53.6±14.8 (22–81) years old. Statistically significantdifferences were found in NPI-D, quality-of-life mental health, quality-of-life physical health,depression, and anxiety scores between the caregiver groups (p<0.05), but there was nostatistically significant difference in burden scores (p>0.05).Conclusion: This study established that Dementia Care and Support Program has positiveeffects on caregivers.