The Preparedness for Caregiving Scale in African American and White Caregivers of Hospitalized Persons With Dementia

This study evaluated the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale (PCS) upon discharge from the hospital. The caregivers reported a mean age of 60.5 years (SD=13.9). The majority of caregivers were female (72%), married (59%), non-Hispanic/Latino (98%) and either white (52%) or African American (48%). Fifty percent were employed outside of the home and averaged 40.7 (SD= 14.4) hours of outside work per week. The average PCS was 24.4 (SD=6.9, 0-32). 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). 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.