Easing the Burden of Dementia Caregiving: A Telephone-delivered Mindfulness Intervention for Rural, African American Families

The telephone-delivered mindfulness training intervention that will incorporate the following elements: 1) training for primary caregivers (CG) and their caregiving partner (CP) in a telephone-based mindfulness training intervention; 2) groups of up to eight participants (four CG-CP pairs) plus an instructor, on a shared telephone line; and 3) training in a 8-week, modified MBSR program, which places additional emphasis on training in the following: a) mindful experiencing, including mindfulness of feelings and body sensations; b) mindful communication, including non-verbal mindfulness, mindful listening, and mindful speaking; and c) mindful compassion for self and others. Additionally, homework assignments will involve listening to exercises on a dial-in telephone line; and assignments for CG-CP dyads (e.g. mindful listening and communication practices) as well as CG mindfulness practices in the presence of care recipients (e.g. mindful eating, and mindful listening).