Circle of Couples - Vanhustyön keskusliitto - Arvokas vanhuus on ihmisoikeus.

Empowering self-management group intervention

Empowering self-management group intervention provides effective support for older adults at the early stage of dementia

Progressive memory disorders pose a major challenge for society in the near future. Memory disorders may have a great impact on the affected individual as well as his or her spouse. There is increasing emphasis on the need for evidence-based interventions that are tailored according to the needs of older adults at the early stage of dementia.

Omahoitovalmennus-toiminta – Empowering self-management group intervention is peer support group model for older adults. The group intervention takes place at the early stage of dementia as it offers a window to sharing information, enhancing participation in decision-making and peer support. The facilitation of the empowering self-management group intervention is based on rigorous training of social work and healthcare professionals and volunteers.

Empowering self-management group intervention is based on a randomized controlled trial, originally called Self-Management Groups for people with dementia and their spouses. The concept is also inspired by the widely and systematically implemented Circle of Friends model. These two combined elements form the basis for the group intervention. The main objectives of the group are to provide peer support, empower the participants, enhance their wellbeing, encourage them to set goals for the future, and strengthen their participation in activities.

The empowering self-management group intervention for older couples – Circle of Couples

In this closed group model, the participants meet their peers once a week for two months. The group typically includes six to eight couples and four trained facilitators. The goal of the facilitators is to create a confidential and warm atmosphere for the group discussions. The content of each group is tailored to meet the expectations and needs of the participants.

Older couples form the essential core of the group intervention. The Finnish Association for the Welfare of Older Adults wishes to promote and enable peer support among people with memory disorders and their spouses.

According to previous studies, the group intervention provides effective support for older couples facing life with memory disorders. Participants have generally found their groups highly beneficial and a source of great support. Most groups have continued gathering independently after the facilitated two-month period.

The empowering self-management group intervention for older adults living alone and experiencing loneliness

In this closed group model, the participants meet their peers once a week for three months. The group typically includes eight older adults and two trained facilitators. The goal of the facilitators is to create a confidential and warm atmosphere for the group discussions. The content of group is tailored to meet the expectations and needs of the participants.

Older adults form the essential core of the group model. The Finnish Association for the Welfare of Older Adults wishes to promote and enable peer support and self-management skills.

Participants have found empowering self-management group highly beneficial and a source of great support. Most groups have continued gathering independently after the facilitated three-month period.

Training model for facilitating empowering self-management groups for older adults.

Empowering self-management training is a five-month training programme for social work and healthcare professionals as well as volunteers. The group facilitators take part in five one-day workshops, and they facilitate their first empowering self-management group as part of their training. The aim is to enhance the knowledge and skills of the group facilitators, enabling them to plan and implement the target-oriented group model based on the needs of older adults.

The empowering self-management group intervention is based on the following elements:

closed-group dynamics
target-oriented work and learning
enhancing interaction between participants
peer support
enhancing self-efficacy, mastery and self-management skills

We are looking forward to hearing from you! We can be reached by email: laura.rautiainen@vtkl.fi and omahoitovalmennus@vtkl.fi

For more information, please watch our videos with English subtitles:

Pitkälä KH, Laakkonen ML, Kallio EL, Kautiainen H, Raivio MM, Tilvis RS, Strandberg TE & Ohman H. Monetary value of informal caregiving in dementia from a societal perspective. Age Ageing. 2021 May 5;50(3):861-867.

Laakkonen, ML, Kautiainen H, Hölttä E, Savikko N, Tilvis RS, Strandberg TE. & Pitkälä KH. Effects of Self-Management Groups for People with Dementia and Their Spouses—Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of American Geriatrics Society. 2016 64:752–760.

Laakkonen ML, Savikko N, Holtta E, Tilvis R, Strandberg T, Kautiainen H, & Pitkala KH. Self-management groups for people with dementia and their spousal caregivers. A randomized, controlled trial. Baseline findings and feasibility. European Geriatric Medicine. 2013 4(6), 389-393.

Laakkonen ML, Hölttä EH, Savikko N, Strandberg TE, Suominen M, Pitkälä KH. Psychosocial group intervention to enhance self-management skills of people with dementia and their caregivers: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2012 Aug 7;13:133.