Measuring the Effectiveness of Self-Care Sampler for Family Care Partners in Reducing Caregiver Stress

The 6-week Self-Care Sampler for Family Caregivers program was created to provide a variety of evidence-based self-care practices that improve the mental and physical health of caregivers by relieving stress and encouraging preventive health behaviors (Acton, 2002). To determine the effectiveness of the Self-care Sampler for Family Care Partners program in reducing caregiver stress over the 6-week program period. Hypothesis: Participants who attend the 6 class sessions over 6 weeks of the program will have a lower score on the Modified Caregiver Strain Index (MCSI) when compared to baseline. This will indicate a decrease in overall stress. For each 6-week program, sessions will take place once a week for 90 minutes, each starting with a centering exercise and focusing on a new form of self-care. The program gives caregivers a space to connect with others and form social bonds that could extend outside of our sessions. We will run the 6-week Self-Care Sampler for Family Caregivers program three times (three intervention periods) in 2022.

Inclusion criteria

• Any relative, partner, friend or neighbor who has a significant personal relationship with, and provides a broad range of assistance for, an older person or an adult with a chronic or disabling condition.

Exclusion criteria

• Those who cannot speak English which would prevent full participation
• Those with hearing, vision, or cognitive impairment that prevents participation over video
• Individuals who are not adults
• Prisoners