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Virtual Dementia-Friendly Communities (Verily Connect) Stepped-Wedge Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial: Improving Dementia Caregiver Wellbeing in Rural Australia
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Virtual Dementia-Friendly Communities (Verily Connect) Stepped-Wedge Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial: Improving Dementia Caregiver Wellbeing in Rural Australia

Irene Blackberry, Tshepo Rasekaba, Debra Morgan, Kayla Royals, Jennene Greenhill, David Perkins, Megan O’Connell, Mohammad Hamiduzzaman, Margaret Winbolt, Ainsley Robinson, …
Geriatrics (Basel), Vol.8(5), 85
25/08/2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics8050085
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Abstract

caregiver community dementia mobile application rural virtual age friendly
Caring for people living with dementia often leads to social isolation and decreased support for caregivers. This study investigated the effect of a Virtual Dementia-Friendly Rural Communities (Verily Connect) model on social support and demand for caregivers of people living with dementia. The co-designed intervention entailed an integrated website and mobile application, peer-support videoconference, and technology learning hubs. This mixed-methods, stepped-wedge, cluster-randomised controlled trial was conducted with 113 participants from 12 rural communities in Australia. Caregiver data were collected using MOS-SSS and ZBI between 2018 and 2020. The relationship between post-intervention social support with age, years of caring, years since diagnosis, and duration of intervention were explored through correlation analysis and thin plate regression. Google Analytics were analysed for levels of engagement, and cost analysis was performed for implementation. Results showed that caregivers’ perception of social support (MOS-SSS) increased over 32 weeks (p = 0.003) and there was a marginal trend of less care demand (ZBI) among caregivers. Better social support was observed with increasing caregiver age until 55 years. Younger caregivers (aged <55 years) experienced the greatest post-intervention improvement. The greatest engagement occurred early in the trial, declining sharply thereafter. The Verily Connect model improved caregivers’ social support and appeared to ease caregiver demand.

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