The Jacob and Valeria Langeloth Foundation has awarded the University of Miami Center on Aging $324,898 for the Project "A Computer Integrated Telephone System for Family Caregivers of Dementia Patients." Dr. Sara Czaja, Co-Director of the Center and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences is the Principal Investigator of this project.
The goal of the project is to evaluate a technology based psycho-educational intervention for minority family caregivers of patients with dementia. The support of the Langeloth foundation will allow Dr. Czaja and her team to evaluate an innovative new technology based on the success of their previous computerized telephone intervention. This intervention will be delivered via video phone technology and is intended to enhance the quality of life for caregivers and patients and reduce caregiver distress. Specifically the intervention is designed to enhance caregiving skills, enhance health care behaviors, reduce stress and isolation and enhance formal and informal support. The technology will provide links to community resources, family members, other caregivers, and health care providers; provide educational information for caregivers and be used to augment routine activities such as medication reminders. A unique feature of the project is the inclusion of African Americans and Haitian Americans in the study population.
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