Objective:
To determine if a caregiver matching system is an efficacious approach to reduce caregiver isolation.
Background:
Caregivers to people living with brain cancer face unique challenges that are thus far minimally characterized. The majority of literature about caregivers for people with brain cancer references caregiver stress, however, the term is non-specific and does not encapsulate the perpetual emotional and logistical demands placed on the caregiver. There is even less understood how to combat these demands, specifically for the caregivers to those living with brain cancer. We aimed to better qualify the demands of a neuro-oncology caregiver and mitigate such stressors through a caregiver matching system entitled “Punching Pals.”
Design/Methods:
Former and current caregivers were recruited to the program from February to September 2024. Through a central matching system orchestrated by Keep Punching, pairs were created, with the goal of matching caregivers with similar demographics. A focus group was held in the spring of 2024. A survey was distributed in June 2024 to gain data regarding the experience.
Results:
Nineteen caregivers enrolled in the program, forming 8 pairs. Eight-three percent of participants are former caregivers and 17% are current caregivers. Sixty-seven percent of the caregivers did not have a gender preference for the caregiver they were to be connected with.
Fifty percent of pairs did not end up connecting. Of the caregivers who connected, 100% of active participants would recommend the program. Typical interactions between caregivers lasted between 1-2 hours.
Conclusions:
Once initial contact is made between caregivers, the program is beneficial. Further research is required to better understand and qualify the barriers and demands that caregivers to people living with brain cancer face, which impede participation in such programs.
Disclaimer: Abstracts were not reviewed by Neurology® and do not reflect the views of Neurology® editors or staff.