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The Senior Companion Program Plus (SCP Plus): Examining the Preliminary Effectiveness of a Lay Provider Program to Support African American Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) Caregivers

Author

Listed:
  • Ling Xu

    (School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA)

  • Noelle L. Fields

    (School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA)

  • Ishan C. Williams

    (School of Nursing, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA)

  • Joseph E. Gaugler

    (School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Alan Kunz-Lomelin

    (School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA)

  • Daisha J. Cipher

    (College of Nursing and Health Innovation, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA)

  • Gretchen Feinhals

    (The Senior Source, Inc., Dallas, TX 75219, USA)

Abstract

Objectives: A culturally informed, peer-led, lay provider model, the Senior Companion Program (SCP) Plus, was implemented to decrease caregiving burden/stress and improve coping skills and social support for African American ADRD caregivers. This study reported the preliminary effectiveness of this intervention. Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used in this study, and a randomized control trial was conducted for the SCP Plus intervention among participants in three sites ( n = 20). A subsample of participants ( n = 7) consented to a qualitative interview about their experiences with the intervention. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, Friedman tests, and one-way repeated measures ANOVA were computed for quantitative analyses. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative interviews. Results: Results demonstrated that knowledge of AD/dementia (KAD) and preparedness for caregiving were significantly improved for all senior companions in the intervention group. Results also showed that caregivers in the intervention group reported significantly decreased caregiving burden, as well as increased KAD, satisfaction with social support, and positive aspects of caregiving. Themes from the qualitative interviews included: learning new skills about caregiving, gaining knowledge about ADRD, and benefits for the dyad. Discussions: Findings from this study implied that SCP Plus was a promising model for African American family caregivers as it benefits both the SC volunteers and the African American ADRD family caregivers.

Suggested Citation

  • Ling Xu & Noelle L. Fields & Ishan C. Williams & Joseph E. Gaugler & Alan Kunz-Lomelin & Daisha J. Cipher & Gretchen Feinhals, 2023. "The Senior Companion Program Plus (SCP Plus): Examining the Preliminary Effectiveness of a Lay Provider Program to Support African American Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) Caregivers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:7:p:5380-:d:1115018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Francesca Falzarano & Jerad Moxley & Karl Pillemer & Sara J Czaja, 2022. "Family Matters: Cross-Cultural Differences in Familism and Caregiving Outcomes," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 77(7), pages 1269-1279.
    2. Chin C. Lee & Sara J. Czaja & Richard Schulz, 2010. "The Moderating Influence of Demographic Characteristics, Social Support, and Religious Coping on the Effectiveness of a Multicomponent Psychosocial Caregiver Intervention in Three Racial Ethnic Groups," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 65(2), pages 185-194.
    3. Peggye Dilworth-Anderson & Beverly H. Brummett & Paula Goodwin & Sharon Wallace Williams & Redford B. Williams & Ilene C. Siegler, 2005. "Effect of Race on Cultural Justifications for Caregiving," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 60(5), pages 257-262.
    4. Peggye Dilworth-Anderson & Paula Y. Goodwin & Sharon Wallace Williams, 2004. "Can Culture Help Explain the Physical Health Effects of Caregiving Over Time Among African American Caregivers?," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 59(3), pages 138-145.
    5. Sheung-Tak Cheng & Emily P M Mak & Timothy Kwok & Helene Fung & Linda C W Lam & Lynn Martire, 2020. "Benefit-Finding Intervention Delivered Individually to Alzheimer Family Caregivers: Longer-Term Outcomes of a Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 75(9), pages 1884-1893.
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