title: Interventions for caregivers of persons with dementia: a systematic review.
abstract: The prevalence of dementia in older adults in increasing. Due to cuts in funding for formal support, many families are having to provide care for a loved one with dementia at home. This systematic review gathered and synthesized information on interventions designed to enhance the well-being of caregivers of people with dementia. A search of the literature resulted in 36 relevant studies. Of these, 11 were rated as strong, 11 as moderate, 13 as weak, and 1 as poor. This paper focuses on the strong studies. No one intervention had an overall significant impact on the well-being of caregivers. Although several interventions have been shown to be of benefit to caregivers, non-significant findings were more common. Further investigation is greatly needed. Systematic reviews are an important means of guiding consumers and practitioners in making evidence-based decisions.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Education Program, Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology, Kelsey Campus, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
authors.forename: Shelley C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Peacock
authors.forename: Dorothy A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Forbes
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D019090:Case Management / Q000592:standards; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000592:standards; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015995:Prevalence; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000592:standards; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000592:standards; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000592:standards; D016896:Treatment Outcome