Strength for Caregiving

Background: A large proportion of Finnish family caregivers are older adults. Serving as a family caregiver places both psychological and physical strain on the caregiver. As a result, taking care of one's own well-being may be overlooked. Previous studies have shown that up to 40% of family caregivers may be at risk of malnutrition. Inadequate nutrition weakens family caregivers' health and functional capacity, potentially threatening their ability to continue providing care. At present, there is no structured and clearly defined approach to systematically addressing the nutritional status and nutritional needs of family caregivers as part of family caregivers services. Consequently, family caregivers may not receive easily accessible, targeted, and reliable nutritional guidance or materials, even though nutrition is an important factor in maintaining health, functional capacity and the ability to continue caregiving.

Aims: The aim of the Strength for Caregiving project is to promote elderly (≥ 65 years) family caregivers' dietary habits, well-being, and functional capacity through comprehensive nutritional counseling. In addition, the project aims to develop and pilot a nutritional counseling model targeted at family caregivers. The project will also produce nutrition materials for family caregivers.

Methods: The study examines the effectiveness of a 10-month tailored nutritional counseling intervention on well-being, functional capacity, nutritional status and dietary habits among elderly caregivers living in the Satakunta region, Finland. The planned sample size is 100 participants.

The 10-month intervention includes two individual counseling sessions and three group counseling sessions. The individual sessions are conducted by a nutritionist and include a personal nutrition plan. Based on the participants' preferences, the group sessions consist of either nutrition lectures or practical cooking courses.

Study outcomes are assessed at baseline and after 10 months. Outcomes are measured using questionnaires and three-day food records. Nutritional status, weight, blood pressure and muscle strength are measured at the same time points during appointments with research nurse.

Expected outcomes: The project is expected to improve family caregivers' dietary habits, well-being, and functional capacity. The nutrition coaching model will include individual and group counseling, practical cooking courses, and materials for implementing these activities, enabling different organizations and professionals to use the model and continue providing counseling after the project has ended. The materials produced will be publicly available and widely usable after the project.

Discussion: The study will support family caregivers' ability to continue their caregiving role and help reduce nutrition-related health risks. Integrating the nutrition counseling model into family caregiver services in the well-being services county will lay the foundation for long-term change. Openly available materials may help ensure that the project's impact continues beyond the project period.

Inclusion criteria

• Born in 1961 or earlier (i.e. aged over 65 years)
• Adequate Finnish language skills
• Able to give informed written consent
• Acting as a caregiver (with or without a formal caregiver contract) in the areas of Pori, Rauma, or Kankaanpää
• Normal cognition (participants with an MMSE score below 24 will be assessed by the responsible physician)

Exclusion criteria

• Serious acute illness or inability to act as an informal caregiver
• A condition, ailment, or underlying health risk that is poorly controlled and that participation in the study could exacerbate, or a terminal illness (Consultation of the doctor in charge, if necessary, in unclear cases)
• Born in 1961 or later (i.e. aged under 65 years)
• Substance abuse based on the AUDIT-C score (consultation of the doctor in charge)