Media Based Curriculum--Planning Care for Family Elders

We will develop a series of televised instructional programs designed to help families with the proand providing care for an elderly family member. The completed programming will cover a wide range ofamily decision- making, managing stress, communicating with medical professionals, organizing the lproviding adequate nutritional and exercise needs, and planning for respite care. In Phase I, Northwtwo 30-minute, broadcast-quality television programs that use studio docu-drama video formats. The prealistic portrayals of families as they struggle with how to care for a dependent elder family membwill address issues faced at the beginning of caregiving and a second program will focus specificallmaking skills. The programs will be broadcast via cable-access television to 100 families in Oregonperiod. A randomized control study will be conducted to assess the impact of the televised trainingcaregivers' coping, perceived burden, and behavioral intentions. In Phase II the programming seriestelevised in other regions in the United States.