Date Completed
Spring 2026
Abstract
This capstone project focused primarily on supporting caregivers of individuals living with dementia within a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). Caregivers of spouses with dementia often experience increased burden, stress, and difficulty navigating the transition from independent living to higher levels of care. Guided by principles of occupational therapy, this project aimed to enhance caregiver knowledge, confidence, and overall well-being through the development and implementation of targeted educational resources and support strategies.
Interventions included the creation of evidence-based educational handouts addressing common challenges for caregivers such as activities of daily living (ADLs), sleep, mealtime, and behavioral changes. Additionally, a structured check-in tool was developed to promote reflection on caregiver capacity and readiness for transition to memory care. These resources were designed to support caregiver participation in meaningful occupations while promoting safety and quality of life for both caregiver and care recipients.
Outcomes were assessed through informal feedback, participation trends, and observed behavior. Caregivers reported increased understanding of dementia-related changes and increased confidence in caregiving strategies. This project highlights the role of occupational therapy in addressing the needs of caregivers and supporting successful transitions across levels of care. Future implications include expanding caregiver-focused programming and integrating occupational therapy services more fully within the CCRC setting.
Document Type
Capstone
First Advisor
Sajay Arthanat
Third Advisor
Jennifer Merriam
College or School
CHHS
Department or Program
Occupational Therapy
Recommended Citation
Mooney, Kelly Ann, "Preparing for Change: Supporting Dementia Transitions Through Occupational Therapy and Caregiver Education" (2026). OTD Capstones. 2.
https://scholars.unh.edu/otd_capstones/2