To improve people’s ability to serve as caregivers of children/adults with neurocognitive conditions by expanding their understanding of neurocognitive conditions and available resources.

Community Health Clubs (CHCs) were established in 2017 in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) area as a sustainable model to improve health literacy and community engagement in the LRGV communities. The target audience is middle-aged Hispanic women, most of whom are caregivers of children and/or their elderly parents. Based on a needs assessment conducted by trained promotoras (community health workers), a curriculum was designed to enhance knowledge about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dementia and Alzherimer’s and increase caretaker self-efficacy.

Club members completed a 10-week curriculum on neurocognitive disorders, caregiving for children and adults, available resources, and ways to mitigate burnout. Six promotoras participated in an in-person training complemented by weekly meetings. Club sessions were facilitated by one promotora and included participatory activities such as role play and teach-back. Sessions provided a safe space for experience sharing and collaborative discussions. This curriculum was evaluated using pre and post-surveys and a post-curriculum focus group with a representative sample of members.

Data analysis demonstrated a significant increase in total knowledge of neurocognitive disorders which was corroborated by the recurring qualitative themes of lifelong learning and the newfound ability to identify illnesses in focus group discussion. The majority (70%) of members demonstrated an increase in self-reported preparedness to be caregivers which was consistent with the qualitative themes of personal and community impact described by CHC members.

The CHC model effectively increases awareness and understanding regarding neurocognitive disorders. Benefits are reflected not only through expanded knowledge, but through empowerment of club members to fulfill roles as caregivers and share information with the community.