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Evaluation of an Education and Support Program for Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease
J. Scott Roberts, PhD1*
and
Elaine Silverio, RN2
1 University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
2 Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts Chapter, Watertown
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: jscottr{at}umich.edu.
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Abstract |
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This study evaluated an existing education and support program specifically designed for early stage Alzheimers disease (AD). The "Taking Control of Alzheimers Disease" series is an Alzheimers Association-sponsored, four-session program that combines didactic and interactive activities for both persons with early-stage dementia and their care-partners. Seventy-four participants across nine series (37 persons with dementia, 37 care-partners) provided data. Participants expressed a high degree of satisfaction with the program (e.g., 71% gave it a letter grade of "A," 99% found it helpful). No significant changes from baseline were observed in AD knowledge, coping self-efficacy, or psychosocial adjustment to illness. At 3-month follow-up, participants were more likely than at baseline to be engaged in numerous AD-related coping and health behaviors, including participation in a support group (68% vs. 17%) and legal/financial planning (66% vs. 31%). Findings suggest numerous potential benefits from education and support programs specifically designed for early-stage AD.
First published on June 16, 2009, doi:10.1177/0733464809333883
Journal of Applied Gerontology 2009;28:419.
A more recent version of this article appeared on August 1, 2009

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