A recent study by a team of experts from different fields discovered that family caregivers of elderly individuals with dementia saw a 15% reduction in stress levels after participating in a 9-week online peer support program. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 80% of dementia patients rely on informal care from family or friends, which amounts to 16 million family caregivers in the U.S. However, taking care of a family member with dementia often leads to increased caregiver burden, including emotional, physical, and financial strain, as well as heightened stress and poorer physical health for the caregiver.The Journal of Applied Gerontology recently published a study led by George Mason University researchers. The study revealed that a 9-week online stress management program for family caregivers resulted in a 15% reduction in burden scores for 97 caregivers of older adults with dementia. The Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers TM was tailored to assist family caregivers in coping with their own stress while caring for older adults with dementia or chronic illness. The study also found variations in caregiver burden levels based on the severity of dementia.The study revealed that an online Zoom intervention in a group setting can have positive effects on family caregivers of older adults with different levels of dementia. Catherine Tompkins, who led the study, explained that the intervention offered education and methods to help caregivers cope with the stress of caring for someone with dementia. This included self-care practices like breathing exercises and meditation, as well as tips for addressing dementia-related behaviors. Additionally, the intervention provided peer support for caregivers.The study, titled “Mason Caregivers Aiming for Resilience, Empowerment, and Support Study: Assessing Family Caregiver Burden Post-Intervention,” was published online in April 2024. The research emphasizes the importance of reducing caregiver burden and managing stress for the well-being of families. According to Gilbert Gimm, the first author and associate professor of health administration and policy, the findings suggest that effective stress management interventions for family caregivers can be facilitated through online peer groups. Co-authors of the study include George Mason Associate Professor Megumi Inoue, Professor Emily Ihara, and Mason CARES Project Manager Shannon Layman., and alumni graduate Harveen Pantleay. The study received support from the Retirement Research Foundation (RRF) grant #2021048.
This study is a part of a larger project called Mason CARES (Caregivers Aiming for Resilience, Empowerment, and Support), which focused on implementing and evaluating interventions for family caregivers.
