Factors associated with the well-being of family caregivers of people with dementia

Determining the Psychometric Properties of the Turkish Version of the Positive Caregiving Experience Scale in Dementia

BACKGROUND

Caring for individuals with dementia presents significant challenges for caregivers. However, positive experiences such as personal growth and emotional satisfaction play a vital role in fostering resilience and improving caregiving outcomes. This study highlights the need for a culturally relevant tool to assess these positive feelings, focusing on the adaptation and validation of the Dementia Caregiver Positive Feeling Scale for Turkish caregivers.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to carry out the Turkish validity and reliability study of the 21-item Dementia Caregiver Positive Feeling Scale.

METHODS

This methodological study was conducted between February and December 2023 with 200 caregivers of dementia patients receiving treatment at the education and research hospital in Samsun, Türkiye. Data were collected using an individual information form and the 21-item Dementia Caregiver Positive Feeling Scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 and Amos 22.0 software. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was calculated, and exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to test the construct validity of the scale.

RESULTS

The average age of caregivers was 45.18 ± 12.02 (min = 18, max = 78), and 78.0% were female. The average caregiving duration was 4.07 ± 3.00 (1-18) years. The total Cronbach's alpha value of the scale is 0.80. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a KMO coefficient of 0.756 and a Bartlett's test result of χ2 = 960.382, p < 0.001. Factor loadings ranged from 0.32 to 0.61 and the total variance explained was 47.232. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the scale's 20-item, four-factor structure, with fit indices indicating an acceptable model fit: RMSEA 0.07, GFI 0.85, AGFI 0.80, CFI 0.77 and χ2/sd 2.15 (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The Dementia Caregiver Positive Feeling Scale has been determined to be a valid and reliable instrument for the Turkish community. It serves as a valuable tool that can be used in research evaluating the positive experiences of caregivers of dementia patients.

Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a care partner assisted intervention to improve oral health of individuals with mild dementia

INTRODUCTION

Individuals with mild dementia are at high risk of poor oral health outcomes. To address this issue, we describe an intervention to teach care partners skills to guide individuals with mild dementia in proper oral hygiene techniques and provide reminders to practice oral hygiene care. By providing support to perform these tasks successfully, we aim to delay oral health decline among this vulnerable population.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This multisite study is a three-arm randomised controlled trial. The primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of an intervention to improve oral hygiene outcomes by promoting positive oral hygiene behaviours and skills among individuals with mild dementia. Care partners' behaviour factors, such as oral care self-efficacy and implementation of the care plan, serve as mediators of the intervention. Participant-care partner dyads will be randomly assigned to either Treatment Group 1, Treatment Group 2 or the Control Group. All groups will receive an educational booklet. Treatment Group 1 and Treatment Group 2 will receive a smart electronic toothbrush. Treatment Group 2 (the intervention group) will also receive an oral hygiene care skill assessment, personalised oral hygiene instruction and treatment plan; and care partners will receive in-home and telephone coaching on behaviour change. Oral health outcomes will be compared across the three groups. The duration of the active intervention is 3 months, with an additional 3-month maintenance phase. Data collection will involve three home visits: baseline, 3 months and 6 months. The study enrollment started in November 2021, and the data collection will end in Spring 2024.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Duke University, and is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov. A Data Safety Monitoring Board has been constituted. The study findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and social media.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04390750.