Abstract
This study evaluated an existing education and support program specifically designed for early stage Alzheimer's disease (AD). The “Taking Control of Alzheimer's Disease” series is an Alzheimer's 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.
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