Date

Fall 2023

ESRP 9000 Professor

Jason Abreu, Ed.D.

ESRP 9001 Professor

Jason Abreu, Ed.D.

Executive Summary

This strategic research project was designed to provide the organization with a strategic plan and implementation process for developing an online training program for family caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Family caregivers are ill-equipped to care for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s because of not being taught about what the disease entails or how it progresses and, thus, would benefit from training.

The organization lacks a caregiver training program and four possible solutions to solve this problem were identified: hiring a consultant, developing an in-house training program, collaborating with a local college, and offering a distance learning program. Two possible strategies to implement the caregiver training program were explored: establishing a caregiver training video library and offering live, monthly seminars. The live, monthly seminar strategy was ultimately chosen because caregivers would have the ability to ask the expert speakers questions at the end of each seminar.

The developed action plan has five steps, which consist of surveying caregivers about their interests, securing dementia-experienced speakers, developing a list of topics for the monthly calendar, emailing the monthly calendar to interested parties, and implementing the program by starting the seminars. The conclusion is that if family caregivers are equipped with knowledge and support, caring for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s will not be so stressful, and more positive experiences, and memories can be made.

Recommendations for future research include adding early-onset diagnosis topics to the monthly caregiver training calendar and inquiring if community sites frequented by older adults, such as senior centers, physician offices, and pharmacies, would broadcast the live seminars for their members, patients, and customers to view.

Document Type

Strategic Research Project-NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

College

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education

Language

English

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