Outcomes of a dementia resource and education program imbedded in a health care system [abstract] Abstract uri icon
Overview
abstract
  • Background:Health care providers are struggling to meet the needs of patients and families facing dementia. Lack of education and support frequently results in crisis-driven care and hospitalization for patients, as well as care-related strain, depression, and other negative outcomes for caregivers. Memory PREP (Patient Resource & Education Program) is a 4-month program for patients with dementia and their families that involves meeting with a social worker in person or by phone to cover a curriculum of disease education, support, and connection to community resources. Methods: Patients with a new diagnosis of dementia and their carepartners were recruited from primary care and the HealthPartners Center for Memory and Aging. Dyads were randomized to either an in-person (two in-person visits and 3 phone calls) or phone-only (five phone calls) intervention. Similar resources and ad hoc phone support were available to both groups. Disease knowledge, mood, social support, health, stress, caregiver burden, and quality of life were evaluated. Changes from baseline were assessed using paired t-tests; ANOVA was used for comparisons. Results: Patients with memory loss who participated in Memory PREP were aged 60-93 (mean 76) and 56% female. Carepartners were aged 37-88 (mean 68) and 65% female. Dyads were 99% non-Hispanic white; 62% were recruited from primary care. Notable changes from baseline to post-intervention included an increase in carepartners’ knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease (mean 1.0; 95% CI 0.4 to 1.5; p¼0.001), Medical Outcomes Social Support (MOSS) (mean 4.7; 95% CI -0.1 to 9.5; p¼0.06) and satisfaction with care (mean 1.0, 95% CI -0.2 to 2.1; p¼0.09) as well as a decrease in patients’ self-reported depression (PHQ9 mean score -0.7; 95% CI -1.6 to 0.1; p¼0.07). Carepartners reported less use of Alzheimer’s- related support groups (odds ratio 0.3; 95% CI 0.1 to 0.6; p¼0.003). No statistically significant differences were found by treatment arm or recruitment source. Conclusions: Results suggest that the phone-only program is as beneficial for patients with dementia and their families as the program with an in-person component.We plan to examine longer-termbenefits from 8-month follow-up data.

  • publication date
  • 2016
  • published in
    Research
    keywords
  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Health Education
  • Additional Document Info
    volume
  • 12
  • issue
  • 7