A Text Message Intervention to Support Latino Dementia Family Caregivers (CuidaTEXT): Feasibility study

Objectives To test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of CuidaTEXT: a tailored text message intervention to support Latino dementia family caregivers. Methods CuidaTEXT is a six-month, bilingual, and bidirectional intervention tailored to caregiver needs (e.g., education, problem-solving, resources). We enrolled 24 Latino caregivers in a one-arm trial, and assessed feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy within six months. Results Recruitment took 61 days and enrollment took 20. None of the participants unsubscribed from CuidaTEXT , and 83.3% completed the follow up survey. Most participants (85.7%) reported reading most text messages thoroughly. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention (3.6 on a scale from 1 to 4). CuidaTEXT helpfulness was high (3.5-3.8 on a 1 to 4 scale). Compared to baseline, at six months caregiver behavioral symptom distress (0–60) decreased from 19.8 to 12.0, and depression (0-30) from 8.8 to 5.4 (p<0.05). Conclusions CuidaTEXT demonstrated high levels of feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy among Latino caregivers. Clinical implications CuidaTEXT’s feasibility and potential for widespread implementation holds promise in supporting Latino caregivers of people with dementia.