This research will test the WeCareAdvisor tool for family caregivers of military veterans with dementia to help caregivers assess, manage and track behavioral symptoms and their contributing factors (e.g., pain, sleep disturbance), and that provides tailored strategies for in-home, medication-free behavior management. 60 caregiver-person with dementia dyads will be recruited (30 Treatment Group, 30 Wait-List Control Group).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
19
Tailored, internet-based software intended to assess, manage and track behavioral symptoms and their contributing factors and to instruct dementia caregivers in problem solving approaches (tailored strategies for in-home, medication-free behavior management) to address difficult or disruptive behaviors exhibited by the person with dementia. During the testing period participants will refer to the WeCareAdvisor when behavioral challenges occur.
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Change in Caregiver Stress
As measured by a study specific questionnaire completed by caregivers. Stress is measured on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is equivalent to no stress and 5 is equivalent to extreme stress.
Time frame: Baseline to 2 months
Change in Caregiver Confidence in Managing Problematic Behavior
As measured by a study specific questionnaire completed by caregivers. Confidence in managing problematic behavior is measured on a scale of 0 to 10, where a score of 0 means not confident and 10 means extremely confident
Time frame: Baseline to 2 months
Change in Caregiver Upset
As measured by a study specific questionnaire completed by caregivers. Upset is measured on a scale of 0 to 5 where 0 is equivalent to no upset and 5 is equivalent to extreme upset (midpoint is equivalent to fairly upset).
Time frame: Baseline to 2 months
Change in Caregiver Communication
Caregivers rate the frequency of using six forms of negative communication (yelling, threatening, criticizing, withdrawing from patient, using harsh tone and screaming), measured on a scale of 1 to 5 where a score of 1 is never and a score of 5 is always.
Time frame: Baseline to 2 months
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