Evaluating the Need for Early Stage Alzheimer's Disease Patient-Caregiver Dyad Support Groups in Rural Washington

Abstract

Advances in diagnostic tools and disease slowing treatments have led to an increased focus on diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) during the early stages of the disease. Early diagnosis of AD improves quality of life for patients and caregivers by allowing for participation in disease slowing interventions. However, early diagnosis of AD may have unintentional psychological and social consequences for patients and caregivers. To combat these potential consequences, it is important that psychosocial interventions, such as support groups, are available at the time of diagnosis. A review of literature demonstrated that early stage AD patients and their informal caregivers benefited from support groups attended by both patients and caregivers, referred to as early stage AD patient-caregiver dyad (PCD) support groups. However, there is a gap in knowledge regarding the need for early stage AD PCD support groups in rural areas. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the need for early stage AD PCD support groups in rural WA.A needs assessment survey was developed and distributed for a period of one month to four clinics and one senior center in five rural WA towns. Twelve informal caregivers and five community members who did not have AD or care for someone with early stage AD were included in data analysis. Results demonstrated that participants lacked information about early stage AD PCD support groups and barriers to accessing these groups. Even with a lack of information about early stage AD PCD support groups, a majority of participants indicated that these groups would address their many unmet needs, and 52.9% of participants were likely to participate in early stage AD PCD support groups. Further studies should be performed to capture the need for early stage AD PCD support groups in rural WA.