Family caregivers of individuals with dementia navigate immense emotional, physical and social challenges, often leading to isolation and diminished well-being. Traditional support programs often focus on caregiving skills and patient needs, frequently overlooking caregivers’ personal identities and mental health.
The Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) developed an innovative virtual support model that prioritizes caregivers’ emotional well-being through social connection and self-care education. By fostering peer support in a safe, nonjudgmental space, the program empowers caregivers to build resilience, reduce loneliness, and enhance self-care. Evaluations show its effectiveness in enhancing social connectedness, self-care, and caregiving confidence, highlighting its potential as a scalable, adaptable solution for organizations seeking to redefine caregiver support.
Approximately 6.9 million Americans ages 65 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia, making family caregivers responsible for a wide range of duties from managing daily routines to handling advanced medical tasks, while facing emotional, physical and social strains. In 2023, the Alzheimer’s Association reported 11.475 million caregivers provided nearly 18.4 billion hours of unpaid care. The intense commitment caregivers provide, dedicating most of their time to loved ones, may lead to depression, social isolation and compromised health as they neglect their own well-being. As a result, caregiving often leads to an identity shift—with individuals losing their sense of self while caring for others.
Caregivers also often are overlooked by healthcare systems, which focus predominantly on patient outcomes, with caregiver support programs zeroing in primarily on caregiver skills and patient behavior management. We propose a shift toward supporting caregivers as individuals with unique needs, fostering environments where they can find social connection, self-care education and relief from isolation.
The MPTF Caregiver Support Group Model
The MPTF (Motion Picture & Television Fund) is a nonprofit organization supporting working and retired members of the entertainment community with a safety net of health and social services. In August 2020, MPTF developed a virtual support model specifically tailored to family caregivers of individuals with memory impairment, focusing on social connection and self-care.
Designed to prioritize the mental and emotional health of caregivers (rather than focusing solely on the demands of caregiving), this model allows caregivers to reconnect with themselves and one another in a way that promotes resilience. It does this by addressing caregivers’ social and emotional needs, creating a low-stress, supportive environment that prioritizes those needs, all while they navigate caregiving challenges. Unlike traditional caregiver support programs, the MPTF model provides tools for self-care and centers the caregiver’s well-being.
The program provides a safe, non-judgmental space in which to share one’s experiences.
Participants are entertainment industry members or the husbands, wives, partners, siblings, friends or adult children of an entertainment industry member who has had a dementia diagnosis. Some are still managing full-time work, while others were forced to leave their jobs or retire early to care for their loved one. The support group model operates virtually to enhance accessibility for caregivers, many of whom are unable to attend in-person meetings due to their demanding schedules.
Weekly sessions emphasize social interaction, allowing caregivers to share experiences in a safe, nonjudgmental space. The MPTF model is built on four core principles:
- Social Connection: Fosters a strong sense of community, reducing the social isolation common among caregivers.
- Self-Care Education: Introduces stress management techniques (e.g., stress-reduction breath techniques, mindfulness), and self-care strategies, as a reminder to maintain their health.
- Shared Experiences: Provides group discussions where participants share personal stories and advice, creating a collaborative support network that empowers caregivers.
- Safe Place: Provides a safe, non-judgmental space in which to share one’s experiences.
Contributing to a comprehensive support experience, each core principle addresses a unique aspect of the caregiver’s journey. Additionally, group facilitators provide targeted resources tailored to caregivers’ immediate needs, drawing on materials from existing organizations and guest speakers on relevant topics, including when to seek professional caregiving assistance, palliative and hospice care, and strategies for navigating the placement process. The program serves a diverse demographic of caregivers, whose ages range from the 40s to 80s, including spouses, siblings and adult children of individuals living with dementia. Participation has remained robust, with two groups currently operating weekly since their inception, averaging 7–10 participants per session.
Evaluation Findings
Evaluation of the program’s impact underscores its effectiveness. In the Fall of 2023, there were 30 participants in the groups. At this time, 25 participants completed a structured survey, as well as an open-ended phone interview.
Increased Knowledge and Confidence in the Ability to Manage Caregiving Responsibilities
At least 96% (N=25) of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they had gained valuable new knowledge and 64% (N=25) strongly agreed that the program led to a deeper understanding of caregiving practices.
Peer Learning
All respondents (N=22) agreed or strongly agreed that learning from others in similar situations was helpful. Peer interaction was rated as one of the most valuable aspects of the program.
‘Eleven out of twenty-two respondents reported decreased feelings of loneliness since joining the program.’
Satisfaction with Group Dynamics and Improved Social Connections
All respondents (N=21) agreed or strongly agreed that they felt “understood by facilitators and participants.” About 85% (N=21) of respondents felt more socially connected and 100% (N=22) recognized the value of engaging with others in similar caregiving situations. Furthermore, 91% (N=22) of respondents reported looking forward to the weekly sessions, which provided a sense of stability in their otherwise unpredictable lives. Caregivers expressed appreciation for the opportunity to share experiences in a safe space and the emotional benefits of feeling understood.
Mitigating Loneliness
Eleven out of twenty-two respondents reported decreased feelings of loneliness since joining the program. No respondents indicated an increase in loneliness, highlighting the program's effectiveness in mitigating the social isolation that often accompanies dementia caregiving. Decreased feelings of loneliness were attributed by participants to their interactions in the virtual caregiver sessions.
Retention and Satisfaction
All survey respondents (N=25) stated they would recommend the program to others, highlighting their appreciation for the group’s structure and consistency. The program demonstrates strong retention. While some members transition out of caregiving responsibilities—often following the passing of their loved ones—others continue attending. For these individuals, the group provides vital support as they navigate the process of rediscovering themselves, regaining their personal identity, and rebuilding their lives after caregiving. This supportive environment helps participants focus on their own well-being, new goals and self-care strategies that were previously deprioritized.
To date, 89 participants have engaged in the support groups, demonstrating the effectiveness and reach of this innovative, accessible model. This model sets a benchmark for caregiver support programs and highlights the importance of prioritizing caregiver well-being, underscoring the role of virtual social support groups in enhancing their practical knowledge and emotional resilience and well-being. Findings suggest that virtual groups may be an effective long-term intervention strategy for reducing caregiver loneliness, while fostering stronger social connections, improving self-care practices, and increasing confidence in caregiving skills.
Maureen Feldman, MA, directs the MPTF Social Isolation Impact Project. She may be contacted at maureen.feldman@mptf.com. Iveris Martinez, PhD, is a professor and directs the Center for Successful Aging at California State University (CSU), Long Beach. Annette Rodrigues, MSG, is program manager at the Center. Premita Pradhan, BDS, is a gerontology master’s candidate at CSU Long Beach.
