Investigating a combined approach of songwriting, psychology and social media on the mental health of care-partners and people living with younger-onset dementia

MAPS intervention: 8 x group online sessions of 90 minutes (with a break), co-facilitated by a music therapist and psychologist, supplemented by a closed Facebook group (social media) for care-partners and people living with younger-onset dementia. Dyads (i.e care-partners and people with younger-onset dementia) will attend Session 1 and 8 together for joint-sessions Sessions 2 - 7: Care-partners and people with younger-onset dementia will attend in separate group sessions. These sessions will occur weekly. The major themes that will be covered over the sessions include: the changes that occur with being a care-partner or being diagnosed with dementia; focusing on the positives and staying well; promoting normalcy; collaborative and open communication; social support; and lifestyle changes and self-care. There will be optional "homework". This is anticipated to take about 30 minutes of sharing content to the closed Facebook group. This might include sharing songs or resources. The closed Facebook group will be moderated/monitored by the research team. The other "homework" will involve practicing the relaxation strategies which will be discussed during the online group sessions - this might take 5-10 minutes at night. Participants will be provided with workbooks which will be referred to and used during the online sessions and will be given these prior to the beginning of the intervention. The intervention will occur online, via the videoconferencing platform Zoom - the participants will likely be in their own homes, but can also be located in another venue if they prefer as long as they can access the internet and Zoom. The facilitators (music therapist and psychologist - qualified with a higher degree, at least 24 months research/clinical experience working with care-partners and people with dementia) will have a manual to work with. The facilitators will have fortnightly supervision with their respective senior researchers. Fidelity assessments - A standard fidelity checklist will be developed and session 2 or 3 will be recorded (cameras off/faces blurred) so that other members of the research team can rate fidelity. Allocation of participants to MAPS intervention vs waitlist control - Dyads who pass screening will be randomly generated a number 0 or 1 and if they receive a "1", they will be allocated to the intervention first.