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Semin Neurol 2024; 44(05): 559-566
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1791568
Review Article

Flexibly Incorporating the Dyad into Psychosocial Intervention: Considerations for Neuropalliative Care

Evan Plys 
1   Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
2   Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Claire L. Szapary
1   Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Ana-Maria Vranceanu 
1   Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
2   Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
› Author Affiliations
Funding This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging [K23AG078410 to E.P.; P30AG086562 to A.M.V.], the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health [K24AT011760 to A.M.V.], and the National Institute of Nursing Research [5R01NR019982-03 to A.M.V.].
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Abstract

This paper reviews dyadic psychosocial intervention approaches that flexibly incorporate both dyad members despite challenges to equitable involvement due to cognitive limitations or limited availability. We provide an overview, analysis, and examples for the following dyadic intervention approaches: (1) shared interventions that involve each dyad member equitably (i.e., higher care recipient cognition, higher care-partner availability); (2) patient-focused interventions that primarily engage care recipients with early stages of neurocognitive disorders, yet include care-partners in select sessions and target dyadic and relationship needs (i.e., higher care recipient cognition, lower care-partner availability); and (3) care-partner focused interventions that primarily engage care-partners, yet still address care recipient and relationship needs (i.e., lower care recipient cognition, higher care-partner availability). In our review, we propose a flexible definition of dyadic psychosocial intervention that considers the continuum of individuals' involvement, measurement, content, and conceptual background. We conclude with a discussion of implications for neuropalliative care.

Keywords

neuropalliative care - psychosocial intervention - dyads - care-partners


Publication History

Article published online:
03 October 2024

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