An intervention study with husband and wife carers of older people with a psychiatric illness.
BACKGROUND
Individual packages of care were devised for spouses of older people with psychiatric illness.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial with blind follow up. Intervention group members were offered multidisciplinary packages while controls received no extra help. Both groups were reassessed 12-14 weeks later. The initial control group then received intervention; both were reassessed at 24-28 weeks.


RESULTS
Although no significant differences emerged in group mean scores for affective illness or social difficulties, carers who were mentally ill at outset improved significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
Interventions targeted at caregiving spouses with affective disorder are acceptable and efficacious.


CONCLUSIONS
It was impossible to compare treatment with no treatment.
Murray
J
J
Section of Epidemiology and General Practice, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.
Manela
M
M
Shuttleworth
A
A
Livingston
G
G
D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome