Supporting patient with Dementia/MCI with behavioral intervention delivered by CHWs

February 5, 2025 -

The BECOME Supplement Study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, builds on the ongoing BECOME project to extend mental health support to people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers. Implemented in Chandragiri Municipality, this study leverages trained Community Health Workers (CHWs) to deliver behavioral interventions directly within the community, ensuring accessible and sustainable care for those in need.

This adaptation of the BECOME intervention integrates behavioral activation, stress reduction, and motivational interviewing—proven techniques to alleviate depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges while promoting positive behavior changes. The study employs a mixed-method approach, engaging caregiver-care recipient pairs to assess the feasibility, effectiveness, and challenges of implementing the intervention in real-world settings. Through qualitative insights and quantitative measures, we aim to refine and tailor the intervention to better meet the unique needs of individuals with dementia and their caregivers.

By expanding the scope of BECOME, this supplement study contributes to the advancement of community-based mental health care, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive personalized, evidence-based support. This study is a 1 year pilot which we aim to scale up in future.