Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a physician-led multidisciplinary behavioral neurology cognitive support clinic on the quality of life experience of caregivers of people with dementia within the context of the Family Carer of People with Dementia Quality of Life Framework. A quantitative pre-test post-test design was utilized with a convenience sample (n = 27) comprised of newly referred caregivers of people with a dementia diagnosis seen at a physician-led behavioral neurology multidisciplinary cognitive support clinic with multiple geographic locations in the Northeastern USA. Composite and subdomain scores were not found to be statistically significant. Descriptive findings in the sample shared positive movement in composite scores within subdomains one (meeting personal needs), two (caregivers’ wellbeing), and five (feeling supported). The findings from this study neither endorse nor condemn the impact of a physician-led multidisciplinary behavioral neurology clinic intervention on quality of life or caregivers of people with dementia. Interpretation in light of prior research suggests congruence with the positive movement in C-DEMQOL subdomains one (meeting personal needs), two (caregiver wellbeing), and five (feeling supported). The value of this research includes some interpretive alignment with past, related literature that suggests important caregiving themes, such as caregivers need to meet personal needs, attend to their own wellbeing, and experience support. Policy implications related to these themes are explored in this chapter that have the potential to positively modulate caregiver quality of life.