Abstract
Family caregiving saves the U.S. healthcare system roughly $257 billion annually, but caregivers (CGs) themselves may experience pronounced negative physical and emotional effects of providing care. The Caregivers Help in Problem Solving (CHIPS) program uses a peer-led problem-solving intervention to help family CGs cope with caregiving stress. Individuals who previously cared for an elder relative, but have transitioned out of that role, serve as peer counselors (“coaches”) for current family CGs. Coaches receive training on the intervention, a manualized adaptation of problem-solving therapy, and are then matched with a CG on relationship to the care recipient (spouse vs. other), recipient care needs (physical vs. cognitive), and location. Dyads complete 8 one-on-one meetings, with regular supervision from project staff. In an ongoing pilot, 23 CG-Coach dyads have been successfully matched; seven have completed the intervention, with others in progress. Caregivers are aged 39–80 years; 55% are non-Hispanic White and 45%, African American. The majority (82%) care for a relative with cognitive impairment. Of coaches and CGs who have completed the intervention, 78% endorsed being extremely likely to recommend the project to others in their role. Average score on the Caregiver Relationship Quality scale (Allen & Eby, 2003) was 22.70 (25 = most positive possible rating). To further describe the intervention’s effectiveness, two dyads will be presented as case studies. Based on these preliminary findings, the CHIPS program represents a promising new intervention for family CGs that utilizes an accessible and cost-effective model of peer support. (Supported by R01-AG044333, P. Parmelee, PI)