Early-Stage Partner in Care Living Alone Plus

Summary

EPICLA+ (Early-Stage Partners in Care Living Alone Plus) is a research project designed to assist people with early-stage memory loss who live alone in the community by providing early-stage related education and skill-training sessions, held via Zoom, designed to reduce stress, enhance well-being, manage challenges, and plan for the future. Researchers will gather feedback from individuals about their experience to continue to improve programs for early-stage memory loss.

Detailed Description

This study aims to create a supportive environment to help individuals with early-stage memory loss or early-stage dementia living alone in the community by providing education and skill-training programs, held via Zoom, where they can be educated in memory changes associated with dementia, learn to manage behavioral changes, improve communication skills, cope with stress, and plan for the future. About 70 people will be enrolled across the United States through Arizona State University. People who decide to participate in this program voluntarily will be asked to: Meet others in the earlier stages of memory loss who live alone Attend six group sessions via Zoom (2 hours and 30 minutes each) to learn strategies for handling new situations, reducing stress, improving mood, communicating better with others, and planning for the future. Participate in one 90-minute individualized session via Zoom to address specific issues unique to each one's situation. Participate in three 45-minute confidential interviews that involve questions about background, mood, and quality of life. Participate in a booster session for those initially assigned to EPICLA+, lasting approximately 2h 30 minutes. Participate in interviews at the start, and again about 3 and 6 months, via Zoom, to help us continue to improve the program. All participants are offered the EPICLA+ sessions shortly after their first interview or shortly after their 3-month interview.

Eligibility Criteria

Interventions