“ I Must Be the One to Change; He’s Doing the Best He Can ”: Care Partner Evaluation Results from a Four-Part, In-Person, Dementia Community Education Program

Olivia C. Rubio (), Erica K. Husser (), Rollin Wright, Diane Berish, Janice Whitaker, Marie Boltz and Donna Fick
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Olivia C. Rubio: Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Erica K. Husser: Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Rollin Wright: Penn State Health at Hershey Medical Center, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
Diane Berish: Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Janice Whitaker: Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Marie Boltz: Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Donna Fick: Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: We created a comprehensive, four-part, in-person, interactive community education series to teach informal, unpaid care partners of persons living with dementia (PLWD) how to support their PLWD, negotiate common day-to-day challenges, and navigate predictable situations that arise as the disease progresses over time. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the series impact on participant knowledge, care practices, and perceptions of caregiving. Inspired by the U.S. Medicare Cognitive Assessment and Care Plan Service visit and the 4Ms of the Age-Friendly Health Systems Framework, our curriculum focused on (1) expanding knowledge about the disease and disease progression, (2) developing skills to better connect and work with PLWD, (3) self-care for care partners, and (4) sharing resources to support future planning. The program was delivered in three communities in Central Pennsylvania (one rural, one small, and one medium metropolitan) and was attended by 146 individuals. Both session and final qualitative evaluation data were assessed using thematic analysis and five major categories emerged: lessons learned, activating new knowledge, impact and changes, assuming responsibility is challenging, and I need more help. Ongoing education, emotional support, and access to quality assistance for long-term planning are all needed and require sustained support.

Keywords: dementia; community-based supports and services; caregiver support; caregiver education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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