Caregivers Happiness Project

Caregivers Happiness Project: Happiness for the Journey 

Curriculum Overview 

Curriculum Overview  

The Caregivers Happiness Project: Happiness for the Journey (CHP), an evidence-based therapeutic recreation curriculum is intended for caregivers of older adults with neurocognitive disorders. By utilizing the theoretical framework of the Broaden-and-Build Theory by Fredrickson, each session is designed to utilize evidence-based strategies to increase overall happiness in caregivers. 

Emma Dodson, MS, CTRS

About the Curriculum Developer 

Hello and welcome! My name is Emma Dodson, and I created the Caregivers Happiness Project! I am a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and a Therapeutic Recreation graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL). My inspiration for this project came from Gretchen Rubin's novel, The Happiness Project, and my own experiences as a caregiver. Throughout my caregiving journey, I have met some of the most selfless caregivers that pour into others with their time, attention, and unconditional love! In honor of these wonderful individuals, I wanted to create something to give back to those who give so much. My hope is that the Caregivers Happiness Project will be a way you as a practitioner can connect with caregivers and help them along their journey to happiness! 

Curriculum Training 

Training Overview: 

1. Take the Pre-Training Quiz 

2. Watch the Training Video 

3. Review the Curriculum Fidelity Manual 

4. Take the Post-Training Quiz 

Training Quizzes:

Click the link to access the quiz

• Pre-Training Quiz: Click HERE 

• Post-Training Quiz: Click HERE

The Curriculum Fidelity Manual: Click Here Download Here to Download 

The Curriculum Caregiver Journal: Click Here Download Here to Download 

Watch the Training Video Below

Client Assessment 

Assessment Description/Explanation

Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS)

• This 4-item subjective assessment was developed by Lyubomirsky and Lepper to rate and self-assess their subjective happiness in relation to caregiving

modified Differential Emotions Scale (mDES)

• This 20-item scale was developed by Fredrickson to identify the positive and negative emotions experienced by caregivers of older adults with neurocognitive disorders

Assessment Download and Upload

• Download the Pre-Assessment HERE Download HERE

• Download the Post-Assessment HERE Download HERE

• Upload Assessment Data HERE

l

l

l

Program Evaluation

Program Evaluation/Description 

• The Caregivers Happiness Project facilitator/personnel implements the evidence-based curriculum program progression through result-driven decision making. The Formative Program Evaluation Procedure Program Plan Description Form will be completed within 2 weeks of the conclusion of the 10-week evidence-based curriculum program session by the program facilitator (CTRS) and any other individuals involved with the facilitation of the program.

Program Evaluation Upload 

• Download Evaluation HERE Download HERE

• Upload Completed Evaluations HERE

Research Poster 

This poster was presented at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Research & Creativity Symposium in the Spring of 2022.