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Symposium

Behavioral and Social Sciences

Future of Caregiving: Innovative Solutions and Challenges With Novel Nonpharmacological Interventions

Saturday, November 16, 2024
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM PST
Location: Room 603

As we explore the evolving landscape of family caregiving, it becomes clear that caregiving roles offer fulfillment but also pose unique mental health challenges for caregivers of persons living with dementia. These challenges stem from expanded responsibilities and managing dementia-related behaviors. Research emphasizes the intertwined well-being of caregivers and their care recipients, highlighting the need for interventions that support caregivers' mental health and improve their capacity to address their care recipients’ needs. This symposium aims to assess the effectiveness of novel non-pharmacological interventions, marking a step forward in our approach to caregiver support and improving caregiving dynamics overall. Martinsdale-Adams et al. explore the Annie Caregiver Text program, a text-message intervention based on the REACH-VA protocol, showing its success in improving the management of dementia-related behaviors and reducing caregiver stress. Lee et al. examine the Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC) program, assessing its effectiveness in enhancing self-care and communication skills, whether delivered in-person or remotely. Savla et al. share results from an RCT that compares the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention, Practice of Acceptance, Awareness, and Compassion in Caregiving (PAACC), with REACH-VA, focusing on reducing caregiver anxiety and increasing compassion. Ruggiano et al. analyze the Alabama Caregiver Connect initiative, aimed at simplifying access for caregivers to essential dementia care information through interactive, AI-enhanced web tools, including ChatGPT and chatbots. Together, these empirically-validated programs offer novel non-pharmacological options for managing caregiving responsibilities and addressing dementia-related behaviors of relatives, exploring the challenges and solutions for implementing these programs for family caregivers.

Learning Objectives:

  • identify and critique the efficacy of diverse non-pharmacological interventions aimed at bolstering caregiver well-being.
  • describe the integration of technological solutions and innovative communication methods, such as AI-driven tools and text messaging, in delivering accessible and impactful caregiver support programs.
  • implement mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches within caregiver support programs to reduce stress and anxiety, foster compassion, and enhance the caregiving experience overall.

Presentations:

  • 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM PST
    Annie Caregiver Text Program: A Lifeline in Managing Dementia Behaviors and Stress

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Jennifer L. Martindale-Adams, EdD (she/her/hers) – University of Tennessee Health Science Center

  • 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM PST
    The Powerful Tools for Caregivers Toolkit: Enhancing Self-Care and Communication for Quality Care

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: JeongEun Lee, PhD (she/her/hers) – Iowa State University

  • 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM PST
    From REACH to Mindfulness: Shifting Paradigms in Support of Caregivers of Veterans Living With Dementia

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Jyoti Savla, PhD, FGSA – Virginia Tech

  • 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM PST
    Going BOLDer: Promoting Dementia Infrastructure Through Interactive and AI Web-Based Tools

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Nicole Ruggiano, PhD, MSW, FGA (she/her/hers) – University of Alabama