Adapting Dialectical Behavior Therapy to Address Caregiver Health in High-Conflict Caregiving Situations
2024

Adapting Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Caregiver Health

Sample size: 32 publication

Author Information

Author(s): VanPutten Rachel, Drossel Claudia, Waltz Thomas

Primary Institution: Palo Alto Healthcare System, California, United States

Hypothesis

Caregiver mental or physical health impacts coercive caregiving practices.

Conclusion

The study highlights the need for systematic assessments of caregiver health to prevent coercive caregiving.

Supporting Evidence

  • Caregivers with significant health problems reported themselves as healthy.
  • Caregivers required significant individual support for medical concerns.
  • Modifications to DBT modules were made to better support caregivers.

Takeaway

Caregivers of older adults often feel unhealthy but report being fine, which can lead to bad caregiving practices. We need to check on them more often.

Methodology

Retrospective chart review of clinical records from family caregivers in DBT skills training groups.

Limitations

Attrition was mainly due to acute medical crises, indicating a need for more support.

Participant Demographics

Family caregivers of older adults with neurocognitive disorders.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.1239

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication