Hong Y Alicia, Shen Kang, Han Hae-Ra, Hepburn Kenneth, Wang Lily, Lu Huixing Kate, Ta Park Van, Chi Iris
Department of Health Administration and Policy, College of Public Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA.
School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Aging Ment Health. 2025 Apr;29(4):631-638. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2024.2449141. Epub 2025 Jan 5.
Few digital health interventions for dementia caregivers, especially for racial and ethnic minorities, include long-term follow-ups. This study assessed the feasibility of two-year follow-up of the Wellness Enhancement for Caregivers (WECARE) intervention for Chinese American dementia caregivers, examined the changes in psychosocial health and explored future strategies.
A mixed-method study was conducted two years after the initial WECARE intervention trial. Participants completed an online survey and phone interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed complementarily.
Eighteen of 24 participants completed the survey and 15 participated in interviews. Caregivers reported deteriorating conditions of care-recipients and increased caregiving burden, but their depressive symptoms and life satisfaction remained lower compared to baseline. Participants highlighted sustained benefits of WECARE, including stress management, improved communication, and a sense of community through group chats. They expressed a need for ongoing social and information support.
This study demonstrates the feasibility of long-term evaluation for digital interventions like WECARE and emphasizes the need for continuous support. Sustained benefits underscore the potential of culturally tailored digital health interventions for underserved dementia caregivers. Future efforts should integrate ongoing resource access to enhance caregivers' long-term well-being.
针对痴呆症照料者，尤其是种族和少数族裔的数字健康干预措施很少包括长期随访。本研究评估了针对华裔美国痴呆症照料者的“照料者健康提升计划”（WECARE）干预措施进行两年随访的可行性，研究了心理社会健康状况的变化，并探索了未来策略。
在最初的WECARE干预试验两年后进行了一项混合方法研究。参与者完成了一项在线调查和电话访谈。对定量和定性数据进行了补充分析。
24名参与者中有18名完成了调查，15名参与了访谈。照料者报告称受照料者的状况恶化，照料负担加重，但与基线相比，他们的抑郁症状和生活满意度仍然较低。参与者强调了WECARE的持续益处，包括压力管理、沟通改善以及通过群聊产生的社区感。他们表示需要持续的社会和信息支持。
本研究证明了对WECARE等数字干预措施进行长期评估的可行性，并强调了持续支持的必要性。持续的益处凸显了针对服务不足的痴呆症照料者进行文化定制数字健康干预措施的潜力。未来的努力应整合持续的资源获取，以提高照料者的长期幸福感。
