Learning Skills Together Family Caregiver Complex Intervention

Launched by CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · Apr 26, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Learning Skills Together Family Caregiver Complex Intervention trial is designed to help family caregivers who support loved ones with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. Over six weeks, caregivers will participate in a program that teaches them important skills for managing caregiving tasks. The goal of this study is to see if this program can reduce feelings of depression in caregivers and help them feel more confident in handling challenging behaviors associated with dementia. Participants will either join the Learning Skills Together program or a control group focused on healthy living, and they will complete surveys before and after the sessions to measure any changes.

To be eligible for this trial, you should be 18 years or older and a family member (including chosen family) of someone diagnosed with Alzheimer's or related dementia who needs assistance with daily activities. You should also be able to attend at least five of the six online sessions and have access to the internet for Zoom meetings. Unfortunately, those who have participated in the program before, have recently started treatment for depression, or plan to move their loved one to a nursing facility soon are not eligible. This trial is currently recruiting participants to help improve the well-being of both caregivers and those they care for.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Is aged 18 years or older
• • Be a family member, including "families of choice," to an individual living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia who has received a diagnosis from a physician
• • Provide assistance with at least two instrumental activities of daily living or one activity of daily living
• • Report a Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) rating for care recipients between 4 to 6
• • Commit to attending at least 5 of the 6 discussion sessions
• • Has reliable access to the internet and email and be able to attend synchronous sessions using the Zoom videoconferencing platform
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Unable to read and speak English
• • Participated in Learning Skills Together in the past
• • Plans to place the care recipient in a skilled nursing facility within the next 9 months (i.e., study duration)
• • Was diagnosed with depression and/or started or significantly altered their depression treatment, including starting a pharmacological therapy or beginning therapy, in the previous 3 months