THE EVOLUTION OF SHARE: AN EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WITH EARLY-STAGE DEMENTIA AND THEIR CARE PARTNERS

Sep 29, 2026

SHARE, an evidence-based dementia caregiving program, targets care values and preferences and supports future planning for people with early-stage dementia and their care partners. Originating in 1997 with pre-intervention studies, SHARE has undergone multiple adaptations and technological developments. In 2023, the Best Programs for Caregiving team surveyed eight US organizations delivering SHARE implementation. All eight reported in-person delivery, with two also adding an online component; sites lacked identified tailoring for diverse communities. The discussion highlights virtual delivery improvements and feasibility for community organizations, including a cultural adaptation for Black and African American families.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Program overview and target population

Evolution and adaptations since 1997

2023 delivery survey findings

Gaps in tailoring for diverse communities

Future directions: virtual delivery and cultural adaptation

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 745 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.2533 THE EVOLUTION OF SHARE: AN EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WITH EARLY-STAGE DEMENTIA AND THEIR CARE PARTNERS Zoe Fete1, Silvia Orsulic-Jeras1, Donna Salaam1, Megan Huth2, and Sara Powers1, 1. Benjamin Rose, Cleveland, Ohio, United States, 2. Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, Cleveland, Ohio, United States Best Programs for Caregiving (BPC) is an online database of nearly 50 evidence-based dementia caregiving programs. One such program is SHARE for Dementia, which targets care values/ preferences and planning for the future, including both the person living with dementia and their care partner. Beginning in 1997 with a series of pre-intervention studies, SHARE has since gone through multiple adaptations and technological developments. In 2023, the BPC team collected online surveys from organizations (n = 8) delivering SHARE across the US about their implementation. In reviewing data, all eight organizations (100%) indicated SHARE was being delivered in-person, with two of those organizations also indicating an online component. Only one organization indicated they were delivering the program at a national level (e.g., any care dyad is eligible no matter location), with the other seven organizations offering the program locally or statewide. Results also indicated that at the time of data collection SHARE implementation sites did not identify specific diverse communities they were tailoring the delivery of the program for, including things such as adapting marketing materials and specific staff trainings. Discussion will focus on improvements to the program’s ability to be offered virtually (e.g., creating a web-based application), improving accessibility to the program for dementia care dyads, as well as increasing the feasibility to implement among community-based organizations. Additionally, to better meet the needs of diverse communities, details surrounding the current development of a cultural adaptation of SHARE for Black and African American families impacted by dementia will be discussed.

FAQs

What does the SHARE program target for people with early-stage dementia and care partners?

SHARE targets care values and preferences and future planning. It includes both the person living with dementia and their care partner.

How was SHARE delivered according to the 2023 Best Programs for Caregiving survey?

All eight organizations reported delivering SHARE in person. Two of those organizations also reported an additional online component.

What limitations regarding diverse communities were identified in the survey data?

At the time of data collection, implementation sites did not identify specific diverse communities they were tailoring delivery for, including adaptations to marketing materials and staff training.

What future improvements and developments does the discussion focus on?

The discussion focuses on improving the program’s ability to be offered virtually, increasing accessibility for dementia care dyads, and supporting feasibility among community-based organizations, including cultural adaptation for Black and African American families.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Taylor Morgan