Effect of Watch–Assess–Need Intervention–Think Model Education and Training Program for Family Caregivers in Dementia Care

Most family caregivers of people living with dementia in Taiwan only receive initial dementia-related information after diagnosis, with limited subsequent training in dementia care management, which may contribute to caregiver stress. The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of the Watch–Assess–Need Intervention–Think (WANT) model education and training program in enhancing family caregivers’ dementia care competence and self-efficacy. A pre-post experimental design was conducted with a mixed-methods approach for data collection. Ninety family caregivers of people living with dementia recruited from the communities were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group received the WANT program for one month, while the control group maintained their usual lifestyle. This study utilized a demographic questionnaire, a dementia care competence scale, and a dementia care self-efficacy scale to collect pre- and post-test data. Additionally, qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Results showed that dementia care competence, knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy of the experimental group significantly improved; however, the program led to only a minor change in attitude. There was no significant difference across variables for the control group. The qualitative interviews generated three themes: (1) acquiring knowledge and caregiving skills to effectively respond behavioral expressions; (2) acquiring self-adjustment methods to improve relationships with family members with dementia; (3) changing attitudes to learn to care for and empathize with family members of people living with dementia. Overall, the WANT program effectively enhanced participants’ knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy. Participants developed self-regulation strategies, improved their relationships with family members living with dementia, and strengthened their ability to understand and respond to behavioral expressions. The WANT program can be applied in future to support family caregivers in providing person-centered responses to behavioral expressions and improving caregiving outcomes.