Table 1.
Summary description of total intervention: eight home visits including homework
| Week 1 | |
| Home visit 1 | |
| Acquaintance and explanation of the different components of the intervention by the coach. Introduction of first flexibility exercises | |
| • Physical exercise homework: complete 30 minutes of flexibility exercises on at least 3 days by both person with dementia and caregiver | |
| Week 2 | |
| Home visit 2 | |
| Training communication skills. Psycho-education about specific behavior disturbances in dementia, such as depression, delusions, anxiety and agitation. Demonstration and practice of flexibility exercises. | |
| • Physical exercise homework: complete 30 minutes of flexibility exercises on at least 3 days by both person with dementia and caregiver | |
| Week 3 | |
| Home visit 3 | |
| Introduction of pleasant activities training. Introduction and practice of first strength exercises. | |
| • Physical exercise homework: complete 30 minutes of flexibility and strengthening exercises on at least 3 days by both person with dementia and caregiver | |
| • Pleasant activities homework: plan 2 to 3 pleasant activities for person with dementia and monitor mood | |
| Weeks 4 and 5 | |
| Home visit 4 | |
| Planning 2–3 pleasant activities for person with dementia in the next 2 weeks. Demonstration and practice of flexibility and strength exercises. | |
| • Physical exercise homework: complete 30 minutes of flexibility and strengthening exercises on at least 3 days a week by both person with dementia and caregiver | |
| • Pleasant activities homework: plan 3 pleasant activities for person with dementia and monitor mood | |
| Weeks 6 and 7 | |
| Home visit 5 | |
| Psycho-education about coping strategies for caregiver. Introduction of balance exercises. | |
| • Physical exercise homework: complete 30 minutes of flexibility, strengthening and balance exercises on at least 3 days a week by both person with dementia and caregiver | |
| • Pleasant activities homework: plan 3 pleasant activities for person with dementia and monitor mood | |
| Weeks 8 and 9 | |
| Home visit 6 | |
| Psycho-education about the importance of respite care for caregiver. Planning pleasant activities for caregiver. Introduction of endurance exercises. | |
| • Physical exercise homework: complete 30 minutes of flexibility, strengthening, balance and endurance exercises at least 3 days a week by both person with dementia and caregiver | |
| • Pleasant activities homework: plan 3 pleasant activities for caregiver and monitor mood | |
| Weeks 10 and 11 | |
| Home visit 7 | |
| Psycho-education about dealing with stress reaction for caregiver. Teaching caregivers effective instructions to encourage exercises and to avoid problems. | |
| • Physical exercise homework: repeat and continue learned flexibility, strengthening, balance and endurance exercises for 30 minutes on at least 3 days a week by both person with dementia and caregiver | |
| • Pleasant activities homework: plan 3 pleasant activities for both partners and monitor mood | |
| Week 12 | |
| Home visit 8 | |
| Special attention is paid to maintain exercise training and pleasant activities training in future. | |
| • Physical exercise homework: repeat and continue learned flexibility, strengthening, balance and endurance exercises for 30 minutes on at least 3 days a week by both person with dementia and caregiver | |
| • Pleasant activities homework: plan 3 pleasant activities for both partners and monitor mood |