JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Onset of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) can alter relationships between family caregivers and persons living with AD/ADRD, such as through onset of distressful behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Poor relationship quality contributes to negative outcomes for both care partners, such as low-quality caregiving, including potential elder mistreatment. Knowledge and Interpersonal Skills to Develop Exemplary Relationships (KINDER) is a new, web-based, asynchronous psychoeducational intervention to support healthy caregiving relationships and prevent low-quality caregiving.

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to describe the acceptability and feasibility of participating in KINDER towards the goal of improving relationship quality and quality of care among caregivers to persons living with AD/ADRD. Findings will inform intervention refinement in anticipation of efficacy testing.

Methods:

Although 23 caregivers enrolled in the KINDER parent study, only 7 of them completed the 8-week program intervention. In-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with all program completers to understand their experiences while attending KINDER, and to decipher barriers to participation.

Results:

Findings indicated that caregivers were satisfied overall with KINDER’s focus and content. Participants particularly liked how KINDER materials felt authentic. Most program components were found to be valuable, especially story-based video vignettes and readings. Technology challenges, such lack of clarity about automated intervention activities, were a deterrent to completion. Notably, while caregivers appreciated the convenience of participating in an asynchronous web-based intervention, several expressed a desire for more opportunities to speak with other caregivers.

Conclusions:

Findings from this study provide information about the acceptability of an asynchronous web-based intervention that covers sensitive topics such as elder mistreatment for AD/ADRD caregivers. Overall, web-based delivery was acceptable to caregivers, especially the use of story-based videos, though may be improved by the integration of group discussion session. To make KINDER more feasible to deliver and participate in, the investigators plan to reduce the use of automation and integrate more group-based programming.