DOI: 10.5176/2251-2403_PSSIR15.29
Authors: Ed Rosenberg, Pornchai Jullamate, Ouaypon Tungthongchai
Abstract:
Globally and in most nations individually, populations are aging at unprecedented rates and to unprecedented sizes, presenting multiple challenges for elders and their families and for policymakers. Even in advanced nations, the majority of eldercare is informal and family-based. Physical, psycho-emotional and financial strains on caregivers can have substantial and negative consequences. Caregiver challenges are increased when the elderly family member suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease or another dementia. Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PT4C), based on chronic disease self-management, was developed in the United States to train and empower carers for elderly family members. Despite its success, PT4C had not been offered outside the USA in a language other than English. This research describes the conversion of PT4C for use in Thailand and testing, via a field experiment, on a sample of Thais caring informally for older people. Results show that PT4C is associated with significantly reducing caregiver stress and increasing well-being.
Keywords: aging, eldercare, caregiver stress, powerful tools for caregivers, chronic illness
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