Empirical Evaluation of the "Caregivers Passage through Dementia" on African American Caregivers.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to empirically examine a new psychoeducational intervention that was designed for African American caregivers. METHODS: African American caregivers (N = 49) to older adults with dementia were recruited from the community to participate in Universal Dementia Caregivers' (UCD) Bootcamp. Participants completed a pre- and post-assessment of dementia and caregiving knowledge, and a 30-day follow-up interview. RESULTS: Caregivers who went through the UCD Bootcamp demonstrated an increase in basic knowledge of dementia, caregiving burden and coping strategies. In follow-up interviews, caregivers reported developing confidence, knowledge, and adaptive changes in attitudes toward self and loved one. CONCLUSIONS: The Bootcamp is a novel psychoeducational intervention that improves caregiver knowledge and confidence. Our model, Caregiver Passage Through Dementia, is a training that can improve caregiver and family members' quality of life. Additionally, developing culturally sensitive interventions could help address the mistrust that exist in African American communities toward medical systems and research. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Clinicians reframing of caregiving as a gift resonates with many African American caregivers. Empowering caregivers through spirituality is often a necessary ingredient to working with African American caregivers. Clinicians need to demonstrate cultural sensitivity when working with African American caregivers.

Psychological and Functional Vulnerability Predicts Fraud Cases in Older Adults: Results of a Longitudinal Study.

Using cross sectional data Psychological vulnerability was identified as a correlate of older adult's being defrauded. We extend that research by examining fraud prevalence using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study, and to identify the best predictors of fraud longitudinally across a 4-year time frame. Whereas reported fraud prevalence was 5.0% in a 5-year look-back period in 2008, it increased to 6.1% in 2012. The rate of new-incident fraud across only a 4-year look-back was 4.3%. Being younger-old, having a higher level of education, and having more depression significantly predicted the new cases of fraud reported in 2012. Psychological vulnerability was a potent longitudinal predictor of fraud, with the most vulnerable individuals being more than twice as likely to be defrauded. Results indicate that fraud victimization among older adults is rising, and that vulnerability variables, along with some demographic variables, predict new cases of fraud.