Effect of the Happiness Program on the Level of Happiness among Caregivers of Elderly with Dementia in Mae Lao District, Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research design, one group pre-post test design, aimed to examine the Happiness Program’s effect on the happiness level among caregivers of older adults with dementia. The study sample consisted of 28 participants who were caregivers responsible for older adults with dementia and were selected through purposive sampling. The experimental group received the Happiness Program, which comprised eight activities once a week for four weeks. The research tools included 1) The Happiness Program, 2) Personal data record forms., and 3) The 15-item Thai Happiness Assessment. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests.
Before delivering the Happiness Program, the research findings revealed that caregivers of elderly with dementia had an average happiness score of 28.85, which was lower than the general Thai population. However, after participating in the happiness program, the experimental group showed a remarkable and statistically significant increase in average happiness scores, from 28.85 to 32.32 (p < .001). This research underscored the potential of the happiness program to be continuously implemented for caregivers of the elderly with dementia. It served as a guideline for adapting the happiness program for caregivers of other patient groups.