Juntos/Together Program to Build Confidence for Complex Care Tasks Among Latino Family Caregivers

Pilot Test of Juntos/Together Program to Build Confidence for Complex Care Tasks Among Latino Family Caregivers

The overall goal of this study is to culturally adapt and test the effectiveness of Learning Skills Together (LST) in improving self-efficacy among Latino family caregivers. To address this overall goal, the study team propose the following aims: i) culturally adapt the LST intervention for Latino caregivers using a community-engaged approach; and ii) examine the effect of the LST intervention on Latino caregiver self-efficacy, depression, and well-being using a randomized wait-list control group.

The study team will use a randomized wait-list control group design with blinded outcomes assessment to examine the effectiveness of LST-LC on caregiver confidence and self-efficacy in performing complex care tasks. This design has the advantage of making enrollment more feasible as participants may find the intervention highly desirable and will eventually receive it. Yet, the design provides a randomized comparison with a non-intervention control group. Participants will be individually randomized 1:1 to an immediate intervention group (IG) and a wait-list (delayed) control group (WLC).

Inclusion Criteria:

1. a family member to an individual living with AD/ADRD (Alzheimers Disease/Alzheimers Disease and related dementias) who has received a diagnosis from a physician,
2. aged 18 years or older,
3. providing assistance with at least two instrumental activities of daily living or one activity of daily living,
4. providing care to a person with dementia in mid-stage as defined by a score between 4 and 6 on the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS), and
5. not paid to provide care

Exclusion Criteria:

1. are unable to read and speak English or Spanish,
2. previously participated in LST, and/or
3. have plans to place the care recipient in a skilled nursing facility within the next 6 months (i.e., study duration).
4. Participants must have a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score of less than 15, the threshold for moderately severe depression
5. Participants with severe depression