Perspectives on Components of an Online Training and Support Program for Dementia Family Caregivers in India: A Focus Group Study

Upasana Baruah, Prafulla Shivakumar, Santosh Loganathan, Anne Margriet Pot, Kala M. Mehta, Dolores Gallagher-Thompson, Tarun Dua, Mathew Varghese*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: There is a considerable need for support interventions for caregivers of people with dementia in developing countries, such as India. The purpose of the study was to identify the components and understand the acceptability of an online training and support program for dementia caregivers in India. Methods: Three focus group discussions were carried out with dementia caregivers (2) and health professionals (1) to understand the requirements of an online training and support program from their perspective. The commonly recurring themes were identified and defined using thematic content analysis. Results: The expectations from an online training and support program were wide-ranging from information about identification and management of dementia to support caregiver well-being. Use of simple language, cultural relevance, and an interactive design were suggestions to facilitate the use of the support program. Lack of time, difficulty in accessing the internet, lack of awareness about the portal, difficulty in reaching the rural population were anticipated as challenges in using the program. Conclusions: The study highlights the requisite components of a first of its kind online training and support program in India by integrating the experiences, motivations, challenges, and expectations of caregivers and professionals involved in dementia care. Clinical Implications: The focus group discussions in the current study provide a road map for the development of an online caregiver training and support program underlying the perspectives of the stakeholders for the consolidation of an effective dementia care program for lower resourced settings.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)518-532
Number of pages15
JournalClinical Gerontologist
Volume43
Issue number5
Early online date21 Feb 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Sept 2020

Keywords

  • Dementia
  • family caregivers
  • focus groups
  • India
  • online training and support program

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