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

Ling Xu (), Noelle L. Fields, Ishan C. Williams, Joseph E. Gaugler, Alan Kunz-Lomelin, Daisha J. Cipher and Gretchen Feinhals
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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

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 7, 1-14

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.

Keywords: ADRD; caregiving; lay provider; intervention; culturally congruent (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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