A mixed-methods evaluation of the Caregiving Essentials Course for unpaid caregivers of older adults in Canada

Unpaid caregiving is a growing phenomenon, but many family members and friends fall into the role without any prior experience or training. Therefore, many individuals are unequipped with the necessary knowledge and skills needed to manage the demands of caregiving. The Caregiving Essentials course was created to meet the growing need for information and resources among unpaid caregivers of older adults in Ontario (Canada). The evaluation assessed whether the online knowledge intervention was effective in improving the following four areas from the experiences of the caregiver participants: 1) Knowledge, confidence, skills, abilities and self-efficacy; 2) Self-reported sense of personal health and well-being; 3) Perceptions of health and well-being of the care recipient; and 4) Understanding and access to the health and social service system. Using a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach, a total of 39 post-course survey responses were collected concurrently with 26 semi-structured interviews with participants who completed half or more (two or more modules). Survey responses were analyzed for descriptive statistics. Thematic coding of interview data was completed using NVivo software and triangulated with the descriptive statistics. Survey findings reveal that the course was not necessarily effective in improving caregivers’ health and well-being because of external factors, but 91 percent of post-survey respondents reported being able to use the course content in their role as a caregiver. Thematic analysis of the interview data indicates participates recognize the course as being effective in improving participants’ self-perceived knowledge, confidence, and access to resources.