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New Study Finds That On-Line Training
Reduces Employed Caregiver Stress
By John Paul Marosy, President
Bringing Elder Care Home LLC
jpmarosy@charter.net
(508) 854-0431
The
following report summarizes a pre-publication research report, "Powerful
Tools for Caregivers Online: An innovative approach to support employees,"
with permission of the authors. The full report will be published soon
in The Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health. In a future edition of
this newsletter, we will interview the authors to gain further insight
into the significance of these findings.
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"Individuals with healthcare needs and their family caregivers have turned the Internet into the primary source of information in the U.S.," according to the researchers. They cite a survey by the Pew Internet and American Life project that showed "eight in ten Internet users, or about 95 million American adults, have searched online for health information on at least one of 16 topics and most individuals also conducted health searches on behalf of a loved one with a medical problem."
In 2004, three companies that are members of the American Business Collaboration for Quality Dependent Care - Exxon Mobil Corporation, IBM and Texas Instruments - funded Mather LifeWays Institute, a non-profit organization, to create an online version of its caregiver education program, Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC).
"PTC is taught by trained class leaders…," state the researchers. "Research conducted among hundreds of caregivers participating in PTC… demonstrated positive outcomes including decreased depression, improved self-confidence, and increased engagement in relaxation and exercise activities.
"PTC classes traditionally are held weekly for six weeks in groups of 10-15 participants at locations such as churches, senior centers, and civic centers. Classes are two and a half hours in length and are typically led by professionals in health and human services who use a standardized curriculum… Participants learn how to locate community resources, better manage their stress, communicate more effectively, cope with their emotions, and take steps to care for themselves through weekly action plans."
Powerful Tools Goes On-line
"PTC was seen as an innovative means of supporting employees who have little or not time to take part in traditional support groups in the workplace or other community settings. The online format - available 24 hours a day, seven days a week - was thought to fit the needs of employed caregivers who needed the convenience of participating in PTC at any time from any place. Moreover, the self-help focus of PTC in an educational format might prove attractive to employees who otherwise might not take part in support groups."
The PTC online program is also six weeks in length and the online material consists of text, graphics, video, and interactive exercises. 217 participants from the three companies registered. They interacted with each other and a trained facilitator in a Discussion Board. Following completion of the course, participants receive monthly e-newsletters for one year that contain articles that reinforce the use of self-care tools and address other aspects of caregiving.
Findings: PTC Online Effective On Three Measures
Wellness: improved participants' involvement in exercise activities, resilience, self-efficacy, and self-reported health status.
Work: reduced participants' job stress and burnout.
Caregiving: increased participants' overall feelings about caregiving and competencies as a caregiver.
The wellness outcomes were sustained for six months following completion of the course, according to follow-up survey results.
According to the authors "PCT is an effective and first-of-its-kind course that uses computer technology to address practical problems of caregiving. The web-based format attracts employees who otherwise might not be able to attend PTC classes held in the community and allows for participation in remote locations at any time. PTC Online may also be attractive to employers because it can be delivered to a diverse and scattered workforce. PTC online may be suitable for work-life programs, employee assistance providers, and employers interested in improving the health and well-being o family caregiver in the workplace."
What do you think? Take a moment now to send us an e-mail
with your opinion to jpmarosy@bringingeldercarehome.com
We will publish your thoughts in the next issue.
John Paul Marosy
Editor and President,
Bringing Elder Care Home, LLC
John Paul Marosy is the author of Elder Care: A Six Step Guide to Balancing Work and Family, available from Bringing Elder Care Home Publishing online at www.bringingeldercarehome.com or by calling 508-854-0431.
Visit www.bringingeldercarehome.com, call or email to learn how your organization can offer this effective resource: (508) 854-0431, jpmarosy@bringingeldercarehome.com
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