The overall goal of this study is to culturally adapt and test the effectiveness of Learning Skills Together (LST) in improving self-efficacy among Latino family caregivers. To address this overall goal, the study team propose the following aims: i) culturally adapt the LST intervention for Latino caregivers using a community-engaged approach; and ii) examine the effect of the LST intervention on Latino caregiver self-efficacy, depression, and well-being using a randomized wait-list control group.
The study team will use a randomized wait-list control group design with blinded outcomes assessment to examine the effectiveness of LST-LC on caregiver confidence and self-efficacy in performing complex care tasks. This design has the advantage of making enrollment more feasible as participants may find the intervention highly desirable and will eventually receive it. Yet, the design provides a randomized comparison with a non-intervention control group. Participants will be individually randomized 1:1 to an immediate intervention group (IG) and a wait-list (delayed) control group (WLC).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
50
Testing the LST-LC intervention with cultural adaptations integrated through Stage 2 (Adaptation Design). There are 9 modules. Session 1, we describe the principles underlying the program (safety, hygiene, dignity, comfort, and independence), discuss self-care, and introduce a vignette of caring for a person with dementia, designed to generate conversation around the caregiving role. Other modules focus on 1) behavioral and 2) communication challenges in the context of dementia; 3) home safety, transfers, and adaptable medical equipment; 4) managing nutrition needs; 5) swallowing challenges; 6) supporting oral hygiene; 7) dealing with incontinence, including preventing and recognizing urinary tract infections; 8) medication management and 9) managing comorbidities including assessing and managing pain
UT Health San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Change in Caregiver Self-Efficacy Scale
This is a unidimensional measure, with total score ranging between 1 and 10, with mean (SD) of 6.0 (2.1) in a sample of 158 caregivers (Ritter et al., 2022). Higher scores indicate higher confidence.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 weeks
Complex Care Tasks Scale
A scale developed by the study team with total score ranging from 14 to 70. Items are summed and averaged. In our pilot study with 35 caregivers, the mean (SD) was 3.7 (0.8) (Meyer et al., 2022). Higher scores indicate higher confidence.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 weeks
Caregiver Confidence in Medical Sign/Symptom Management (CCSM) scale
A 25 item scale which evaluates the efforts to support family caregivers of people with dementia in their daily medical management responsibilities requires a measure of caregiver self-efficacy (confidence).The total score on this scale ranges from 25 to 125, with items summed and averaged with a mean (SD) of 3.8 (0.6) in a sample of 194 caregivers (Zimmerman et al., 2018). Higher scores indicate higher confidence.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 weeks
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