1 Wesley Woods Health Center, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
3 Atlanta VAMC, Department of Veterans Affairs, Decatur, GA, USA.
Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2018 Aug;33(5):269-276. doi: 10.1177/1533317518755331. Epub 2018 Mar 16.
This study examined the feasibility and efficacy of Tele-Savvy, an online version of the Savvy Caregiver Program, a psychoeducation program for caregivers caring for a person with dementia.
A convenience sample of 22 caregivers from the Atlanta VA and 42 caregivers from 14 different states enrolled in Tele-Savvy. Pre- and post-program evaluations assessed caregiver burden, caregiver competency, and frequency of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
Fifty-seven caregivers completed the 6-week Tele-Savvy program. Caregivers whose care recipients exhibited higher average BPSD frequency at baseline demonstrated significantly greater burden decreases post-program. Caregivers of care recipients in more advanced dementia stages demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in caregiver competence.
The results point to the feasibility of achieving significant results in caregivers' well-being and care recipients' BPSD with a fully online program. Tele-Savvy may be particularly efficacious for caregivers whose care recipients exhibit higher BPSD frequency and are in later dementia stages.
本研究旨在检验 Tele-Savvy 的可行性和有效性，Tele-Savvy 是 Savvy Caregiver 计划的在线版本，是一个针对痴呆症患者照顾者的心理教育项目。
亚特兰大退伍军人事务部的 22 名照顾者和来自 14 个不同州的 42 名照顾者作为便利样本，参加了 Tele-Savvy 项目。在项目开始前和结束后，评估了照顾者的负担、照顾者能力以及痴呆症患者行为和心理症状（BPSD）的频率。
57 名照顾者完成了为期 6 周的 Tele-Savvy 项目。与基线时 BPSD 频率较高的被照顾者相比，这些照顾者在项目结束后负担明显减轻。处于更晚期痴呆阶段的被照顾者的照顾者在照顾能力方面的改善更为显著。
结果表明，通过完全在线的项目，可以在照顾者的幸福感和被照顾者的 BPSD 方面取得显著效果。对于那些照顾者的 BPSD 频率较高且处于晚期痴呆阶段的被照顾者，Tele-Savvy 可能特别有效。
