CONFIDENCE-AI Financial Education for Caregivers (CONFIDENCE-AI)

Financial strain will be measured using the 11-item Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) Scale. A modified version of COST demonstrates validity and reliability when tested among cancer caregivers (α=0.91; range: 0 to 44). COST items are generic enough to be applicable to caregivers to persons PLWD without further modification (e.g., "I feel financially stressed"). Caregivers are asked to indicate if each statement applies to them "Not at all" (0) to "Very much" (4). Higher scores indicate higher levels of financial strain.

Resourcefulness is measured using the 28-item Caregiver Resourcefulness Scale (alpha=0.85). This scale has two factors: one focused on help-seeking and another on self-help. Caregivers are asked the frequency at which they use different strategies to manage challenges, and may respond: Not at all like me (0), Pretty much not like me (1), A little bit not like me (2), A little bit like me (3), Pretty much like much like me (4), or Very much like me (5). Items are added together to create a total score. Scores range from 0 to 140, where higher scores indicate higher levels of resourcefulness. The outcome measure will use the average change score from baseline scores

Self-efficacy is measured using the Caregiver Self-Efficacy Scale. This 8-item scale asks about multiple domains of self-efficacy (e.g., managing behavioral symptoms, accessing respite, and controlling upsetting thoughts). It demonstrates high reliability (alpha=0.89) and good test-retest reliability (0.73). Participants rate the extent to which they are "Not confident at all" (1) to "Totally confident" (10). Scores range from 8 (lowest level of self-efficacy) to 80 (highest level of self-efficacy).