Correlates of caregiver participation in a brief, community-based dementia care management program

Purpose of the Study: The evidence base for dementia care management interventions for informal caregivers (CGs) is strong, yet enrolment and sustained engagement in academic and community-based research trials is low. This study sought to examine rates and correlates of participation in a community-based, telephone-delivered dementia care management programme designed to address logistic and practical barriers to participation in CG trials and services. Design and Methods: Participants included 290 CGs of older, community-dwelling, low-income care recipients (CRs) who met criteria for enrolment in a collaborative dementia care management programme that provides assessment, psychosocial support and education, and connection to community resources via telephone. Cross-sectional analyses examined the association between CG-related (e.g., financial status, relationship to CR, caregiving burden) and CR-related (e.g., functional limitations, symptom severity) factors and CG enrolment and engagement. Results: The majority of CGs were non-Hispanic White, female, financially stable, and adult children of the CRs. Over half of CGs lived with the CR and provided 20 or more hours of care per week. Roughly half of CGs refused care management services. Adjusted logistic regression models revealed that perceived caregiving burden and financial status were related to initial enrolment and engagement in services once enrolled, respectively. Implications: A significant proportion of CGs refuse free, convenient, evidence-based dementia care management services, underscoring the need for further examination of correlates of programme acceptance. Nonetheless, community-based programmes that address barriers may improve enrolment and engagement rates among CGs, including those who are especially vulnerable to negative CG and CR outcomes.