I Must Be the One to Change; He’s Doing the Best He Can”

Care Partner Evaluation Results from a Four-Part, In-Person, Dementia Community Education Program

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15475320
AutoresOlivia C Rubio (0000-0001-7222-4773, Pennsylvania State University, autor de correspondencia), Erica K Husser (0000-0002-0799-5122, Pennsylvania State University, autor de correspondencia), Rollin Wright (0009-0000-3933-249X, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center), Diane Berish (0000-0001-9224-5950, Pennsylvania State University), Janice Whitaker (0000-0002-6018-3764, Pennsylvania State University), Marie Boltz (0000-0003-1133-2249, Pennsylvania State University), Donna Fick (0000-0002-6777-1913, Pennsylvania State University)
Año2025
Volumen22
Número2
Páginas295-295
Fecha de publicación2025-02-17
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
EditorialMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph22020295
PMID40003520
OpenAlexW4407621431
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas27

We created a comprehensive, four-part, in-person, interactive community education series to teach informal, unpaid care partners of persons living with dementia (PLWD) how to support their PLWD, negotiate common day-to-day challenges, and navigate predictable situations that arise as the disease progresses over time. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the series impact on participant knowledge, care practices, and perceptions of caregiving. Inspired by the U.S. Medicare Cognitive Assessment and Care Plan Service visit and the 4Ms of the Age-Friendly Health Systems Framework, our curriculum focused on (1) expanding knowledge about the disease and disease progression, (2) developing skills to better connect and work with PLWD, (3) self-care for care partners, and (4) sharing resources to support future planning. The program was delivered in three communities in Central Pennsylvania (one rural, one small, and one medium metropolitan) and was attended by 146 individuals. Both session and final qualitative evaluation data were assessed using thematic analysis and five major categories emerged: lessons learned, activating new knowledge, impact and changes, assuming responsibility is challenging, and I need more help. Ongoing education, emotional support, and access to quality assistance for long-term planning are all needed and require sustained support

Curriculum · Dementia · Disease · Medical education · Pedagogy · Qualitative research · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research · Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Gerontology