title: E-care: a telecommunications technology intervention for family caregivers of dementia patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the effectiveness of a technology-based psychoeducational intervention for family caregivers of dementia patients. An additional objective was to determine if the intervention could be implemented by a community-based social service agency.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-six caregivers were randomly assigned to either a technology-based intervention or an information-only control condition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Caregivers assigned to the intervention condition reported a significant decrease in burden postintervention and those who evidenced high depression at baseline experienced a significant decline in depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides evidence that technology offers a cost-effective and practical method for delivering interventions to caregivers.
authors.affiliation: Council for Jewish Elderly, Chicago, IL, USA. sfinkel104@aol.com
authors.forename: Sanford
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Finkel
authors.forename: Sara J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Czaja
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: Zoran
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Martinovich
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pezzuto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012947:Social Work / Q000458:organization & administration; D013685:Telecommunications / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome