University of Washington
Virtual Training for Latino Caregivers to Manage Symptoms of Dementia
Health Care Systems
- UW Medicine
- WWAMI Region Practice and Research Network
Dr. Ramirez is an assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Public Health, Department of Health Systems and Population Health. Dr. Ramirez is also an affiliate investigator at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute. She has an interdisciplinary background in learning health systems research, public health, and human-centered design. Her research focuses on how information and communication technology can be used to enhance the delivery of health interventions targeting populations impacted by disparities in health status and healthcare delivery. She currently leads research on a virtual intervention to support the health and well-being of Latinos who provide care to family members living with dementia. Dr. Ramirez lives and works on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle – the Duwamish People, past and present – and she honors with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.
RATIONALE: Latinos are 1.5 times more likely to develop dementia compared to non-Latino White adults. Non-pharmacological interventions have been developed and tested to support caregivers of people living with dementia (PWLD), but they are limited by the persistent underrepresentation of Latinos. STAR-VTF is a virtual adaptation of an efficacious intervention that teaches caregivers skills to reduce behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.
OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study are to 1) integrate Latino cultural values, beliefs, concerns, and language preference into STAR-VTF and 2) pilot test the adapted content among Latino care partners.
SETTING: Washington State
POPULATION: Spanish- and English-speaking care partners of PLWD who self-identify as Hispanic/Latino/a/x.
INTERVENTION: For 6-8 weeks, care partners in the STAR-VTF intervention complete weekly online training modules asynchronously, have weekly phone calls with a coach (e.g., social worker), and receive ongoing support from the coach via secure email messages. This study focuses on pilot testing the adapted asynchronous, online training modules component of the intervention.
OUTCOMES: The primary outcome is the Revised Memory and Problem Behavior Checklist, which measures the frequency of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and the impact these symptoms have on care partners.
IMPACT: This pilot study will enable us to perform and refine adaptations of the STAR-VTF intervention for Latino care partners. The long-term goal is to accelerate wide adoption of STAR-VTF in healthcare systems to improve the quality and outcomes of care for Latino PLWD and their care partners.