Effect of an educational program on knowledge, practices and burden of Alzheimer patients{u2019}caregivers / Khulud Ahmad Abdelhadi Rezq ; Supervised Nawal A. Fouad , Heba Magdy Sharaa

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Nursing - Department of Community Health Nursing

Alzheimer disease is a condition that causes abnormal changes in the brain, disturbing memory, and other mental abilities. Currently, over 50 million people worldwide live with Alzheimer disease, which is the most common form of dementia and the fifth leading cause of death. This study aims to assess the effect of an educational program on knowledge, practices and burden of Alzheimer patient{u2019}s caregivers. Design: a quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest with three months follow-up design was used. Setting: The study was conducted in three elderly nursing homes in Amman, Jordan. Sample: A purposive sample of 50 caregivers from the selected elderly nursing homes were included. Results: Alzheimer patient{u2019}s caregivers showed a significant gain in knowledge, improved practice, and decreased burden after program implementation with highly statistically significant differences between pre, post, and three months follow up at p-value <0.01. Caregivers{u2019} knowledge was significantly correlated with previous training about Alzheimer. Caregivers{u2019} practices were significantly correlated with their gender and years of experience. Caregivers{u2019} burden was significantly correlated with caregivers{u2019} gender, educational level, years of experience, working hours, and patients{u2019} number assigned/day. Conclusions: Findings demonstrated that Alzheimer caregivers{u2019} education program can effectively provide knowledge and improve practice among caregivers. Recommendation: future studies are needed to determine the best method of education and training for Alzheimer patient{u2019}s caregivers to improve their knowledge and practice and to reduce burden

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