189956 Promotion of healthy families and healthy communities with a caring for caregivers program

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Kathy Jo Ellison, RN, DSN , School of Nursing, Auburn University, Auburn University, AL
Jatunn T. Gibson, MPH , Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University, Auburn University, AL
Claire A. Zizza, RD, PhD , Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Auburn University, Auburn University, AL
Emily W. Myers, LCSW , Dept. of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, Auburn University, Auburn University, AL
An important challenge of 21st Century America is the aging of the population and the resultant increase in the number of chronically ill persons from a variety of causes. More than 22 million people nationwide provide informal care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member in the home delivering more than 75% of care provided for these individuals. Caregivers who live in rural areas face additional challenges due to fewer transportation options, limited access to medical professionals, lower incomes, and fewer support systems. The negative effects of long-term caregiving have resulted in the need for more effective evidence-based programs to improve caregiver health and quality of life as well as caregiver effectiveness. There has been limited attention to population-based outcomes of caregiving support.

This presentation will describe a state-wide caregiver education program implemented through a University Extension system. Over 150 predominately rural caregivers were assessed pre and post a workshop and at 3 and 6 months follow-up for changes in their caregiving involvement, services used, distress, reactions to caregiving and quality of life. Results suggest local caregiver workshops are an effective method of providing information and skill building to caregivers. Factors related to changes in caregiving outcomes will be presented. Policy and program implications of using a University extension system to improve the knowledge and skills of caregivers and caregiver outcomes will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the development and implementation of the Healthy Families Healthy Communities: Caring for Caregivers Project at the state level. 2. Describe key areas for training those who are caregivers or who work with caregivers. 3. Discuss the impact of the project on caregiver outcomes: caregiver involvement and distress and quality of life (SF-36). 4. Analyze the project’s implications for public health policy and program planning for caregiver training and support programs.

Keywords: Caregivers, Elderly

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am one of the PIs on the grant that directed this project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.