Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Through Tele-counselling for Family Caregivers in New Brunswick

Pam Durepos

Chandra MacBean

Impact

  • The program received increased awareness and reach, which is enabling its expansion to neighboring provinces. The research team has met multiple times with the upper management of Alzheimer Society to expand the program and increase access to mental health services for caregivers across Atlantic Canada and eventually the entire nation.

  • The research team received the Innovation Award for Mental Health and Addictions ($5000) from Premier Federation of Councils for the ACT tele-counselling project, and additional funding worth $421,623 from the Healthy Seniors Pilot Project from Public Health Agency of Canada & Government of New Brunswick to continue improving access to care for older adults.

  • New Brunswick

  • Grant

  • University of New Brunswick

  • Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick

  • Research NB

  • 2021-2022

  • Therapy and Rehabilitation

  • Caregivers, Family Members

About the Project

This research project evaluates the practicality and possible benefits of a tele-counselling program for care partners of people living with dementia. The program uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a form of therapy which encourages people to accept their thoughts and feelings and focus on living according to their values. The project aims to understand the program's possible effect on the levels of depression, anxiety, burden care partners experience, as well as feelings of acceptance and involvement in activities that are meaningful to them.

Methodology

30 care partners of persons living with dementia volunteered and were placed in either the ACT tele-counselling program or a Usual Care group. Care partners completed surveys before and after completing the study and participated in interviews to collect feedback on the usefulness and convenience of the program.

Findings

  • Care partners strongly believed the ACT program improved their mental well-being and were appreciative of the study.

  • Improvements were shown in depression and anxiety levels, burden, acceptance and participation in meaningful activities.

  • 100% of care partners were satisfied with the program and 75% would definitely recommend the program to others.

  • 95% of care partners found the ACT tele-counselling program convenient and easy to attend especially if they lived in rural or remote areas. This suggests that the program could be implemented at a larger scale in the stages.

  • As the next steps, the researchers are currently starting a group ACT tele-counselling program provide more care partners with access mental health care options and increase access to ACT. A technological upgrade with the development of a mobile application for care partners to independently access and use from any remote location is also planned.

Project Outreach

The project was based in New Brunswick. Tele-counselling has already expanded to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island is hoping to engage in the near future.

Resources Created

The researchers developed the below resources and tools in English and French:

  • 2 publications;

  • 1 policy brief;

  • 1 infographic;

  • 5 conference abstracts;

  • Multiple poster presentations; and

  • An ACT tele-counselling manual for facilitators (currently in development).