A Dyadic Technology-Based Intervention for Informal Caregivers and Patients With Dementia

Most intervention programs in the dementia domain have exclusively focused on the caregiver (CG) or the patient (CR), despite evidence of a reciprocal interaction between the dyad. This presentation will describe a randomized controlled trial that is evaluating the feasibility and efficacy of an innovative dyadic intervention (DT) that is delivered through an interactive technology that includes an evidenced-based CG component, an evidenced-based cognitive training component for the CR and a dyadic component. The program is designed to: be synergistic and emphasize issues important to CGs in the earlier stages of caregiving. The sample involves 200 informal CGs and CRs with early-stage dementia. Data will be presented regarding factors influencing the feasibility of implementing a dyadic intervention such as recruitment challenges (e.g., mutual consent and eligibility), and mutual engagement of both the CG and CR. Strategies implemented to maintain the trial during the COVID-19 pandemic will also be discussed.