WEBSITE AND E-CARE FOR LATINO FAMILY CAREGIVERS

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Family caregivers to elders suffering with dementia are at increased risk for stress-related illness. This is especially true for Latino caregivers, whose burden is exacerbated by a lack of Spanish-language information on dementia, and/or culturally-competent services. Even when such services are available, Latino caregivers often face access barriers related to scheduling convenience, geographic distances, and the inability to leave their dementia-affected elder unattended. This project addresses the need for convenient, culturally-competent, Spanish-language services for Latino caregivers. We propose the development of a multi-literacy level Spanish-English website for family caregivers to dementia-affected elders. We have already established a prototype website for Latino caregivers in the Boston are, and will further develop it in Phase 1. We will do this by expanding the higher literacy Spanish component of the website, as well as developing lower literacy versions in Spanish and English. An evaluation study of the website as a learning tool will be conducted. In Phase II, we will expand the website to include caregiver resources nationally, and add a customized e-care component offering on-line and call-in center advice from dementia specialists. HMOs can be expected to contract with us to provide the e-care component as a member service.