Table 4.
Setting, form and conditions for a peer-to-peer intervention connecting current and former informal caregivers.
| Caregivers (N = 71)* | Former caregivers (N = 13)* | |
|---|---|---|
| Kind of support (%)a | ||
| Practical support | 66 (93.0) | 8 (61.5) |
| Exchange experience with former caregivers | 61 (85.9) | 5 (38.5) |
| Someone who will listen to my story | 55 (77.5) | 11 (84.6) |
| Advice and guidance | 47 (66.2) | 7 (53.8) |
| Emotional support | 43 (60.6) | 6 (46.2) |
| Other | 7 (9.9) | 4 (30.8) |
| Type of contact (%) | ||
| Drinking a cup of coffee together in a café | 55 (77.5) | 8 (61.5) |
| Lecture or workshop led by former informal caregivers | 54 (76.1) | 7 (46.2) |
| During a walk | 53 (74.6) | 6 (46.2) |
| Overview of former informal caregivers living nearby | 51 (71.8) | 6 (46.2) |
| Group meeting with changing topics | 48 (67.6) | 10 (76.9) |
| Support group meeting with former informal caregivers | 48 (67.6) | 9 (69.2) |
| Consultation hour with former informal caregivers to discuss practical problems | 37 (52.1) | 8 (61.5) |
| Via a manual entailing advices and tips | 34 (47.9) | 7 (53.8) |
| Online forum or private group of (former) informal caregivers | 32 (45.1) | 5 (38.5) |
| Via online contact (mails or WhatsApp) | 31 (43.7) | 7 (53.8) |
| Conversation at your home | 30 (42.3) | 8 (61.5) |
| Via telephone contact | 28 (39.4) | 6 (46.2) |
| Via a theater play about experiences and advice | 26 (36.6) | 5 (38.5) |
| Blog of a former informal caregiver with the opportunity to respond from one’s own situation | 24 (33.8) | 3 (23.1) |
| Via video contact (i.e., Skype, Zoom, FaceTime) | 17 (23.9) | 7 (53.8) |
| Design preferences (%) | ||
| In-person vs online | ||
| In-person contact | 30 (42.3) | 6 (46.2) |
| Online contact | 8 (11.3) | – |
| Combination of in-person and online contact | 33 (46.5) | 7 (53.8) |
| Individual vs group meeting | ||
| Individual contact | 18 (25.4) | 3 (23.1) |
| Group meeting | 14 (19.7) | 2 (14.4) |
| Combination of individual and group meeting | 39 (54.9) | 8 (61.5) |
| Contact frequency | ||
| Daily | – | – |
| 1–2 times a week | – | 2 (15.4) |
| Less than once a week | 9 (12.7) | 1 (7.7) |
| Less than once a month | 13 (18.3) | 5 (38.5) |
| Variable, depending on when I/the caregiver need(s) it | 49 (69.0) | 5 (38.5) |
| Day of the week | ||
| During the week | 26 (36.6) | 3 (23.1) |
| At the weekend | 1 (1.4) | – |
| No preference | 44 (62.0) | 10 (79.9) |
| Duration | ||
| One-time contact | – | 1 (7.7) |
| Several times | 1 (1.4) | 5 (38.5) |
| Long-term contact | 2 (2.8) | – |
| Not to say in advance, as long as I need it | 68 (95.8) | 7 (53.8) |
| Spending time per week | ||
| 1–2 h | 59 (83.1) | 8 (61.5) |
| One half day per week | 11 (15.5) | 3 (23.1) |
| One day a week | – | 1 (7.7) |
| Several days a week | 1 (1.4) | 1 (7.7) |
| Condition: I think it is most important that the (formal) caregiver (%)b | ||
| Has a degree of baseline compatibility | 54 (76.1) | 6 (46.2) |
| Is reliable | 44 (62.0) | n/a |
| Has made comparable experiences as a caregiver | 42 (59.2) | 5 (38.5) |
| Is a good listener | 42 (59.2) | n/a |
| Can communicate well | 42 (59.2) | n/a |
| Can empathize with my situation | 36 (50.7) | n/a |
| Is a regular person | 29 (40.8) | n/a |
| Has gained lots of experience as a caregiver | 25 (35.2) | n/a |
| Has the same background (age, relationship to person with PD) | 25 (35.2) | – |
| Lives nearby | 22 (31.0) | 2 (15.4) |
| Can handle emotions well | 16 (22.5) | n/a |
| Has the same interests (being like-minded) | 14 (19.7) | 2 (15.4) |
| Is patient | 11 (15.5) | n/a |
| Does not live nearby | 1 (1.4) | – |
| Is always available | – | n/a |
| Has gained little experience until now | n/a | 4 (30.8) |
aOnly those filled in the questions that were willing to share their experience with current and former caregivers, bMultiple answers possible, n/a Not applicable.