Purpose
The STAR-Caregivers (STAR-C) program is a systematic training program (also known as the Seattle Protocols), based largely on social learning theory, focused on improving the functioning of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Strategy
Caregivers are taught to monitor problems, to identify environmental triggers for behavioral problems, and to develop effective methods to alter the environment to decrease disruptive problems. Caregivers are also taught to identify pleasurable activities for the care recipient as a means of decreasing care recipient depression.
Target Population
Dementia caregivers are the focus of the intervention, but the program involves training for community consultants to be able to deliver the interventions.
Research Outcomes
To increase access to STAR-C, it has been translated into a telehealth intervention: Tele-STAR, an 8-week videoconference-based intervention (Lindaurel et al., 2019). Preliminary evaluation has shown efficacy in reducing caregiver burden, measured by caregiver reactions to problematic behaviors using the RMBPC and fidelity to the original STAR-C protocol. Fidelity of the Tele-STAR to the original STAR-C protocol was evaluated using recorded videos and assessment criteria developed by experts familiar with the original protocol.
The STAR-Caregivers Research Outcomes
STAR-C intervention produces benefits for both the caregiver and care recipient, improving caregiver depression, reducing burden, improving sleep, lessening subjective ratings of burden, improving caregiver reaction to behavioral problems, improving care recipient quality of life and memory-related behavioral problems. The STAR-C program has been successfully taught to community consultants, providing evidence that it can be disseminated into diverse community settings.
Outcomes Research References
Lindaurel, A., ,McKenzie, G., LaFazia, D., McNeill, L., Mincks, K., Spoden, N., Myers, M., Mattek, N., & Teri L. L. (2019). Using technology to facilitate fidelity assessments: The Tele-STAR Caregiver Intervention. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(5), e13599. doi: 10.2196/13599
McCurry, S. M., Logsdon, R. G., Mead, J., Pike, K. C., La Fazia, D. M., Stevens, L., ,& Teri, L. (2015). Adopting evidence-based caregiver training programs in the real world: Outcomes and lessons learned from the STAR-C Oregon Translation Study. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 36(5), 519-536, doi: 10.1177/0733464815581483
Resources on How to Do It
For more information about STAR-C or to obtain a STAR-C manual, contact Linda Teri, PhD, at the University of Washington, by email.