The purpose of this study is to pilot the home Environmental Skill-Building Program (ESP) and an educational control intervention with persons with dementia and their caregivers (n=40) in preparation for a larger double-blind randomized controlled trial. Caregivers of persons with dementia often deal with difficult behaviors. The ESP is an occupational therapy intervention that helps caregivers adapt to their environment and build care-giving skills. The areas addressed include changes to the home set-up, adaptive equipment, instruction in strategies of problem-solving, energy conservation, safe task performance, and fall recovery techniques. A trial is needed with methodological rigor and to determine if the intervention is feasible in the Canadian health care system. Results will contribute to understanding how caregivers and people with dementia can be supported in their home environments.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
38
Caregiver participants are provided with information about caregiver stress and discuss it individually with an interventionist who visits the home. The control intervention involves 5 visits over 6 months.
The ESP intervention addresses home modifications and training in their use, instruction in strategies of problem-solving, energy conservation, safe task performance, fall recovery techniques, and balance and muscle strength training. Intervention is individualized for target areas identified in the initial client assessment and caregiver interview. The intervention involves using a problem solving approach and client-centred focus and the intervention assessment tools are individualized measures which determine the goals identified by the caregiver. It involves 5 visits over 6 months.
McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Revised Memory and Behavior Problem Checklist
Time frame: 0, 6, 9 months
Disability Assessment for Dementia
Time frame: 0, 6, 9 months
Number of caregiving assistance hours
Time frame: 0, 6, 9 months
Short Zarit Burden Interview
Time frame: 0, 6, 9 months
Task Management Strategy Index
Time frame: 0, 6, 9 months
Perceived Change Scale
Time frame: 0, 6, 9 months
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