The Psychoeducational Interventions: a valuable communication tool to support the caregiver of people with dementia.

Abstract

Background: informal caregivers of people with dementia are at greater risk of developing physical and mental health problems when compared to the general population: they often experience high levels of stress which can lead to a lowered sense of well-being, feelings of being burdened, depression and compromised physical health. The significant beneficial effects of Psychoeducational Interventions on the critical outcomes of caregiver burden and strain were considered sufficient to warrant a recommendation in favour of the intervention. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the use internet-based interventions: this study describes the effectiveness of support program for informal caregivers of people with dementia internet-based and on-site conditions.

Methods: A Psychoeducational Interventions program, consisting of 5 meetings every 2 weeks, has been structured. It aims to provide information and strategies for managing cognitive and psycho-behavioral symptoms in neurodegenerative diseases, as well as to develop effective communication skills and understanding of the caregiver's experience. Intervention formats include slides, video, group discussions and are always led by a psychologist. We assessed in 73 caregivers (33 internet-based and 40 on-site conditions) level of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia management, dementia awareness, social support, find leisure time, harmony with relative, stress, with Visual-Analogue Scale at the beginning of PI and at the end. During the pandemic period the protocol was adapted to be available online and subsequently proposed to caregivers belonging to the Cognitive Disorders and Dementia Centre.

Results: in both modalities, internet-based and on-site condition, a statistically significant improvement was highlighted in all aspects (p < 0.05, for all p-value). Questionnaire on basic dementia knowledge was successfully completed at 100%. Also, participants reported a medium to high level of satisfaction with very limited dropouts (< 3%).

Conclusions: The evidence from this pilot study indicated that caregiver support interventions in both conditions significantly improved several and important outcomes: they showed a significant effect in reducing caregiver strain and improving ability and knowledge. Indeed, Psychoeducational Interventions contribute to effective coping strategies to mitigate caregiver burden so they can continue to provide care for loved ones.