2004 Investigator-Initiated Research Grant

Training to develop better caregiving skills has been demonstrated to help reduce distress in dementia caregivers. Dolores Gallagher-Thompson, Ph.D., and colleagues have developed skill-building tools specifically for minority families in the United States, including an in-home training program for Chinese American families. In order to make this kind of training more affordable and accessible to a large number of people, the researchers will develop a videotape program modeled after one developed for African-American dementia caregivers.

The first phase of this project will be the production of 10 videotapes, in both Mandarin and Cantonese, that provide instruction and demonstrate caregiving skills. The team will also produce a caregiver notebook and a “coach’s manual” for use by bilingual, bicultural support staff who will make periodic phone calls to review the skills and encourage practice.

The investigators will compare the efficacy of this skill-building program in Chinese American families to a research control group, Chinese American caregivers who receive only phone-delivered education and support. Assessment of the new program will be based on primary caregiver surveys and interviews. Because shared responsibility for care is common in many Chinese American families, researchers will also interview other family members who provide at least eight hours of care weekly to determine their use of the videotapes, practice of skills and satisfaction with the program.