Strengthening the Late-Life Care Process: Effects of Two Forms of a Care-Receiver Efficacy Intervention

Purpose: The primary goal of the Care-Receiver Efficacy Intervention (CREI) was to increase the capacity of cognitively able elderly care receivers to effectively manage their own care and optimize relationships with caregivers. To accomplish this, two forms of the CREI were created: an individual and a small-group form. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes of these two CREI forms when compared to a case management approach. Design and Methods: Utilizing a quasi-experimental design, between January 2002 and August 2004 we collected data from 177 elders at three time points: pretest, 2 months following the last session, and 12 months following the last session. The Care-Receiver Efficacy Scale and the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale–Revised were the outcome measures. Results: We found significant effects favoring the CREI for relationship with caregivers, self-care strategies, loneliness, and quality of life. Effects were strongest for the small-group form of the CREI. Overall, the care receivers in both forms of the CREI showed improved self-performance, with small-group CREI participants showing remarkable improvement related to quality of life. Implications: The results of this research suggest that care receiver intervention can be effective in improving the care process.