Taking Control of Alzheimer's Disease: A Training Evaluation

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate a training program for persons with early-stage Alzheimer's disease and their care partners. Care partners were mailed two surveys, one for themselves and one for the person with dementia. Domains covered in the training included an overview of cognitive disorders, treatment of symptoms including medications, research updates and opportunities, memory and safety enhancement techniques, legal and financial planning, driving, ways to stay active, becoming an advocate, and communication. The results indicate a high level of participant satisfaction and impact on current lifestyles. Lifestyle changes such as diet, physical and mental exercises were likely to be made in tandem, by the person with dementia and the care partner together. Further, the results provide insights into the perceptions of the care partners and the persons with dementia as they learn about the disease and live through its progression. The program had positive impacts for the person with dementia and for the care partner in increasing knowledge of Alzheimer's disease, providing comfort with sharing the diagnosis, personal planning, and in decision making. Although many had taken important decision-making actions prior to the training, an additional twenty percent prepared or revised their wills, health care proxies, durable powers of attorney, or medical directives and looked into asset protection after participating in the training.