Caregiver Training: Evidence of Its Effectiveness for Cognitive and Functional Improvement in Older Adults

University of Granada (UGR)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Older Adults; Cognitive Decline; Healthy Aging; Functional Ability

Treatments: Behavioral: Cognitive Stimulation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04490070

545/CEIH/2018

Details and patient eligibility

About

Due to demographic changes that have resulted in an aging population, the role of caregiver of an older adult has become very important in recent years. While numerous programs have been designed to lighten the caregiver's physical and emotional burden, fewer programs train caregivers to improve skills and level of independence in the person they care for. The objectives of this research study were to assess the benefits of a caregiver training program on the cognitive and functional status of older adults, as well as to compare the effects of this program according to type of caregiver (professional caregiver vs. family caregiver). Methods: The sample was composed of 160 older adults: a) 100 received care from caregivers who had taken the training program (treatment group), of which 60 were professional caregivers and 40 were family caregivers; and b) 60 received care from caregivers who had not taken the program (control group). In order to evaluate program effects on cognitive and functional status, we used both direct measures (MMSE, CAPE and EuroQol) and caregiver reports (Barthel and RMPBC).

Enrollment: 160 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Older adults: age 65 or older, receiving care, no diagnosis of dementia, and their informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Sequential Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)