Support Groups for Caregivers of Memory-Impaired Elderly: Easing Caregiver Burden (From Families in Transition: Primary Prevention Programs That Work, V 11, P 252-285, 1988, Lynne A Bond and Barry M Wagner, eds.)

• NCJ Number: 111522
• Author(s): L K George; L P Gwyther
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 34 pages
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This evaluation of community support groups for the family caregivers of memory-impaired older adults indicates that support groups do increase the competence of caregivers, which in turn reduces stress that increases the risk of abuse of the patient.

Abstract

The Family Support Program of Duke University provides caregivers information about dementing disorders and relevant community resources as well as opportunities for sharing personal experiences, identifies participants' coping capacities and inner resources, and encourages education and the development of community resources. Both longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis strategies were used to examine the impact of support group participation on selected caregiver outcomes. The outcomes assessed were knowledge of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, knowledge about the availability of community-based services especially relevant to memory-impaired older adults and their families, use of such services, and feelings of being misunderstood or lonely. Results suggest that support group participation has positive influences on caregivers' level of knowledge and perceptions of mutual support. The evaluation neither looked for nor found evidence that support group participation decreases the incidence of mental illness or psychological distress among caregivers. 1 note and 26 references.