Health Behavioral Change Interventions in Caregivers: The Prolepsis Project

Abstract

The commitment of caring for a close member of the family is a deterrent to adopting preventive health behaviors. The challenging tasks accompanying the caregiving role often pose a threat to the caregiver’s own health. This is often manifested by moving away from healthy behaviors as a result of overwhelming caregiving tasks, limited time, and increased anxiety levels. The health belief model can be used as a theoretical framework to modify behavior. The Prolepsis example is a completed program which was developed based on this theoretical model to promote and encourage the adoption of preventive healthcare behavior among caregivers and other groups of women, by providing information, education, effective communication ways, empowerment programs, mutual support and encouraging lifestyle change.