Translating Dementia Care Research: Sleep Behavior Disorders

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Develop and evaluate an evidence-based, user friendly, and culturally sensitive training module, "Dementia Care: Sleep Behavior Disorders" targeting formal caregivers in nursing homes and assisted living facilities as well as informal (family) caregivers providing care in the home, using DVD/Web DVD technology. AIMS: Translate current evidence based research on sleep disturbances among dementia patients into a comprehensive training module of all-inclusive strategies aimed at improving sleep for nursing home and assisted living caregivers and home based caregivers in Spanish and English versions. Evaluate the usability, cultural acceptability and workplace benefit of both English and Spanish versions of the module. Pilot test the revised module as to the ability to increase knowledge in and impact on both formal and informal caregivers. Evaluate the final product with a large and diverse population. INNOVATION: Translation research of existing research findings (not anecdotal care information) related to sleep behavior disorders of demented individuals into information that can be readily used by a caregiver. An Interactive Training Module: Sleep Behavior Disorders in a DVD/Web DVD format that provides enhanced interactivity and an ability to update training materials. This product re-creates the training program in the Spanish language and culture. OUTCOMES: Effective but inexpensive method of translating the best of dementia care research in the management of sleep behavior disorders in individuals with dementia for the formal or informal bedside caregiver. This quality training will benefit the long term care industry by relieving the burdens of existing workers, facilitating recruitment of new workers, and reducing worker attrition. Better training for coping with sleep behavior disorders extends the ability of families to care for their loved ones in the home, significantly reducing excess patient disability and caregiver stress. COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL: A Market Feasibility Study identifies 6,329,754 total institutional and/or individual buyers including, among others, the following market segments: institutional caregivers, nurses, educational institutions and the lay public. This study projects a first year market penetration rate of 1.5 percent of those markets. PUBLIC HEALTH RELAVENCE: The US government spends over $100 billion a year on AD and, as of 1996, the average lifetime cost of care was $175,000. Alzheimer's disease costs corporate America $33.16 billion a year. The business community is often unaware of its annual expenditures impacted by Alzheimer's disease, primarily because of the popular belief that the disease affects only individuals who have retired from the workforce. That misconception overlooks the millions of currently employed people caring for a family member with the disease. Alzheimer's Cost to U.S. Businesses: Caregiver absenteeism: $ 7.89 billion, Productivity loss: $13.22 billion Replacement of caregivers who leave: $3.59 billion, Continuing insurance for workers on leave and fees to temp agencies: $1.32 billion, Cost of Employee Assistance Programs: $0.0055 billion and Caregiving total: $26.0255 billion. The LightBridge Sleep Behavior Disorders Care Program: (i) improves quality of life for the Alzheimer patient and their care providers, (ii) provides less costly care for longer periods of care for families, local, state and federal agencies, and (iii) is pro-active in its outreach to minority groups such as the Hispanic population. OUTCOMES: Better training for coping with sleep behavior disorders extends the ability of families to care for their loved ones in the home, significantly reducing excess disability and caregiver stress.