Evaluation of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale in African American and White Caregivers of Persons With Dementia During Post-Hospitalization Transition.

BACKGROUND AND
PURPOSE: The Preparedness for Caregiving Scale (PCS) is a widely used instrument to measure caregiver preparedness. The purpose was to evaluate the PCS in African American and White caregivers of patients with dementia upon discharge from the hospital.
METHODS: Factor structure, measurement invariance, and predictive validity of the PCS were assessed in a sample of 292 family caregivers/patient dyads.
RESULTS: One-factor structure of the PCS and measurement invariance by race was fully supported. Predicative validity revealed significant association between the PCS and anxiety (β = -.41, t = -7.61(287), p < .001), depression (β = -.44, t = -8.39(287), p < .001), and strain (β = -.48, t = -9.29(287), p < .001).
CONCLUSION: The PCS is a valid and meaningful tool to measure preparedness in African American and White family caregivers of persons with dementia during post-hospitalization transition. © Copyright 2021 Springer Publishing Company, LLC.