title: Evaluation of a telephone-based support group intervention for female caregivers of community-dwelling individuals with dementia.
abstract: Family caregivers, the "second victims" or hidden patients in dementia care, are at risk for social isolation, stress, depression, and mortality. Telephone-based support (telesupport groups) represents a practical, low-burden, low-cost source of emotional support. The present study evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of professionally led telephone-based support groups for female family caregivers of community-dwelling dementia patients. Recruited through various community sources, 103 female caregivers were randomized to the telesupport group treatment or a control condition. Effects on caregiver burden, depression, and personal gains were evaluated at 6 months, the main end point. Older care-givers (> or =65) in telesupport reported lower depression than control group caregivers did.
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Research in Aging and Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Laraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Winter
authors.forename: Laura N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Gitlin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003704:Dementia; D003710:Demography; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010414:Pennsylvania; D012944:Social Support