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Translating the REACH caregiver intervention for use by area agency on aging personnel: The REACH OUT Program

Authors

Burgio, Louis D., Collins, Irene B., Schmid, Bettina, Wharton, Tracy, McCallum, Debra, DeCoster, Jamie

Journal

The Gerontologist, Volume: 49, No.: 1, Pages.: 103-116

Year of Publication

2009

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to translate the evidence-based Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health (REACH) II intervention for use in 4 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). A secondary aim was to examine possible moderators of treatment outcome. Design and Methods: We used a quasi-experimental pre-post treatment design with no control group. A partnership was formed between the Alabama Department of Senior Services and the University of Alabama. The partnership trimmed the REACH II intervention used in the clinical trial for feasible use in a social service agency. The condensed REACH intervention, termed REACH OUT, was delivered to 272 dementia caregivers during 4 home visits and 3 phone calls for a period of 4 months. The assessment examined pre-post treatment effects on a number of outcomes, including care recipient risk, mood, memory, and behavior problems; caregiver stress and emotional well-being; caregiver health; and program satisfaction. All aspects of the program except for training, periodic consultation, and data analysis were controlled by the AAA staff. Results: Analyses were conducted on the 236 dyads that completed at least 3 of the 4 planned sessions. Significant positive pre-post effects were found on caregiver subjective burden, social support, caregiver frustration, depression, caregiver health, care recipient behavior problems and mood, and 2 of 4 care recipient risk behaviors. Site of intervention and certain participant characteristics (e.g., caregiver relationship) moderated several pre-post differences. A caregiver survey and interventionist focus group reported high acceptability of the program Implications: This project suggests that the REACH II intervention can be modified for feasible and effective use in AAAs. The next step is to integrate the intervention into usual service delivery to achieve sustainability. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved). (journal abstract)

Bibtex Citation

@article{Burgio_2009, doi = {10.1093/geront/gnp012}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnp012}, year = 2009, month = {feb}, publisher = {Oxford University Press ({OUP})}, volume = {49}, number = {1}, pages = {103--116}, author = {L. D. Burgio and I. B. Collins and B. Schmid and T. Wharton and D. McCallum and J. DeCoster}, title = {Translating the {REACH} Caregiver Intervention for Use by Area Agency on Aging Personnel: the {REACH} {OUT} Program}, journal = {The Gerontologist} }

Keywords

agency, aging, aging personnel, area agency, caregiver burden, caregiver health, caregiver interventions, caregivers, health, intervention, personnel, resources, treatment outcome, treatment outcomes

Countries of Study

USA

Types of Study

Before and After Study, Focus Group

Type of Outcomes

Behaviour, Carer Burden (instruments measuring burden), Carers’ Mental Health, Carers’ Physical Health, Cognition, Quality of Life of Carer, Satisfaction with care/services

Settings

Extra Care Housing

Type of Interventions

Intervention for Carers

Carer Focussed Interventions

Information and Advice, Training programmes / workshops including behavioural training