Interventions for caregivers of persons with young-onset dementia in hospital environments: A systematic scoping review
Joan R. Fang, Adam P. Vogel, Dennis Velakoulis, Yiqing Yuan, David Nayler, Samantha M. Loi, Lynette JoubertBackground
Caregivers of patients with young-onset dementia (YOD), most commonly Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia, face unique challenges balancing employment, childcare, finances, and complex care responsibilities. Tailored interventions delivered in hospital environments may provide timely support and optimize caregiver preparedness, but evidence regarding these interventions remains limited.
Objective
To map and synthesize evidence on interventions supporting caregivers of individuals with YOD within hospital environments offering diagnostic services, multidisciplinary care, and opportunities for caregiver engagement. Intervention types, delivery modes, outcomes, and evidence gaps will be highlighted.
Methods
A systematic scoping review adhering to PRISMA-ScR guidelines was conducted. Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, EBM Reviews, SocINDEX, CINAHL, and Scopus were searched for studies published up to 2025. Peer-reviewed studies in English describing or evaluating interventions for YOD caregivers were included. Data on study characteristics, intervention type, delivery, outcomes, and key findings were extracted and synthesized narratively.
Results
Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Interventions were largely focused on psychoeducation and support groups. Most studies targeted spouses with few including other caregiver types. Interventions addressed caregiver functions such as task management, safety, information, and caregiver needs related to emotional support and burden reduction, but rarely were both comprehensively addressed. Quantitative outcomes were mixed while qualitative findings consistently reported improved preparedness, support, and coping.
Conclusions
Evidence on caregiver interventions in hospital environments is limited and largely exploratory. Future work should embed supports within diagnostic pathways, incorporate structured assessment, tailor interventions by subtype and caregiver role, and use outcome measures sensitive to early, meaningful changes.