# Pilot Test of Aprendiendo Juntos/Learning Together Demonstrates Improved Self-Efficacy for Providing Care Among Latino Family Caregivers of Persons Living With Dementia

## TL;DR

A 6-week program called Aprendiendo Juntos improved Latino caregivers' confidence in caring for loved ones with dementia.

## Contribution

A culturally adapted psychoeducational program for Latino dementia caregivers was piloted and shown to improve self-efficacy.

## Key findings

- The intervention group showed significantly higher self-efficacy in care provision compared to the control group.
- Caregiver confidence in managing complex care and medical symptoms improved significantly.
- The positive effects of the program were sustained for 24 weeks.

## Abstract

Few interventions have been culturally and linguistically adapted to address Latino family caregivers’ unique needs for support in providing dementia care.

We sought to pilot test the Aprendiendo Juntos/Learning Together intervention in increasing self-efficacy for care provision among Latino caregivers.

Using a randomized waitlist controlled design, 50 Latino family caregivers were assigned to either the immediate intervention group (IIG) or waitlist control group (WLG). The intervention was a 6-week psychoeducational program, delivered weekly via a video-conferencing platform, addressing topics around care provision such as communication, home safety, and medication management. Caregivers were assessed at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks. The primary outcome was caregiver self-efficacy at 12 weeks, with secondary outcomes including caregiver confidence, global health, and appraisal of behavioral symptoms of dementia. Between-group differences were examined using independent t-tests and multivariable linear regression, controlling for potential confounders.

Caregiver self-efficacy significantly improved in the IIG compared with the WLG (P = .042) with a moderate effect size (d = 0.64). Confidence in providing complex care also increased significantly in the IIG (P = .002), demonstrating a strong effect size (d = 1.00). In addition, 2 of the 4 subscales of the Caregiver Confidence in Medical Sign/Symptom Management scale—managing cognitive signs/symptoms and general medical management/responsiveness—showed significant improvements (d = 0.95, P = .004 and d = 0.99, P = .003, respectively). Sustainability of intervention effects at 24 weeks was observed in the IIG.

The findings support the efficacy of the intervention in increasing self-efficacy in providing complex care to their family members with dementia among Latino caregivers.