Caring for the Caregiver Network

The prevalence of family caregivers is projected to increase in concert with the projected increase in number of AD patients. The focus of the study is to gather systematic data on the acceptability and efficacy of a unique technology-based, culturally- tailored psycho-social intervention program that targets ethnically/culturally diverse family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's Disease. The overall goal of the project is to improve the lives of family caregivers as well as their ability to provide care to their loved one and to reduce disparities in access to needed services and support among caregiver populations.

Participants will receive a computer tablet and have access to web-based skill building sessions, videos from experts, annotated resources and information and tips on caregiving-related topics

Participants will receive a computer tablet and have access to web-based training sessions on different topics related to nutrition.

The intervention will consist of multimedia features accessible via the study-provided tablet. The components include: skill-building sessions and modules; a resource guide; an annotated reading list; information and tips; expert educational seminars (video); and structured support group sessions (6 sessions). All the sessions (home-based, one-on-one, and support group sessions) will last about 60-90 minutes.

The intervention will provide resource and information tips on topics related to Nutrition for a total of 8 sessions. The first and last session will be home-based and all the other sessions will be conducted via web-conferencing using the tablet provided.

CES-D Scale ranges from 0 to 30 with higher scores indicating greater frequency of depressive symptoms.

A 13 Item self care questionnaire is used to measure caregivers self care. Each item can be scored as 0,1,negative 3 or negative 4. The total score ranging from negative 52 to 13. Higher score means better in keeping medical obligations to him/herself.

SF 12 Health Survey was used to measure physical health of the caregiver. Scores ranges from 0 to 35 with lower score means less limitation to physical health.

A 15 item Caregiver's self efficacy questionnaire will be used to assess caregiver's self-efficacy. The questionnaire score ranges from 0-1500 percent with a lower percentage score indicating less efficacy.

An 11 item positive aspects of caregiving questionnaire was used to measure positive aspects of caregiving. Each item can be scored 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, negative 3 or negative 4. The total score ranging from negative 44 to 44. Higher score means more positive feelings towards caregiving.

Inclusion Criteria: Speak and understand English or Spanish Provide care to a loved one with memory decline Not having terminal illness/condition 18+ yrs old Exclusion Criteria: Not providing care to a loved one with Alzheimer disease or dementia Not speak English or Spanish Have cognitive deficit Have terminal illness Plan to place their loved one in a facility Plan to move away in the next 12 months