A behavioral health education series for older adults and their caregivers

The Caregiver Education Series, is a series of eight specific modules designed to enhance the coping of the caregiver and family members through scientific and educational resources. Each therapeutic workbook and accompanying CD provides an overview of information about a specific neurological or behavior aspect of a psychiatric disorder and provides the opportunity for the individual to develop an individualized action plan to better cope and adapt. The series designed through the use of the Self Efficacy Model (Bandura, 2005) and Prohaska and DiClemente's Stages of Change (1988) theoretical frameworks also utilizes a behavioral health education approach in the development of the series. Behavioral health literacy refers to understanding how the lack of knowledge and awareness about mental health is related to myths about self-reliance, susceptibility and treatment. This project aimed to develop an effective intervention through some educational tools which can promote an understanding of various mental health issues and topics that are important to the older adult and their caregivers. The tools, consisting of an educational CD and accompanying workbook, will prepare people to develop a personal care plan for themselves, or encourage them to seek additional mental health resources through their primary care providers, as need be, through the use of the health behavior models. The goal of this intervention was to provide health information which will help consumers and their families make informed health decisions and seek care based on informed decision making. Clinical trials revealing the efficacy of this intervention will also be discussed.