Legacy activities as interventions approaching the end of life.
We examined the efficacy of an innovative family-based intervention designed to decrease caregiving stress and increase family communication among individuals with chronic, life-limiting illnesses and their family caregivers in a randomized, contact control group design. The intervention group received three home visits in which the interventionist actively worked with the family to construct a personal Legacy, usually a scrapbook with photographs or audiotaped stories. Control group families received three supportive telephone calls. Of the 42 families that entered the project, 31 families completed follow-up assessments within 9 to 10 weeks (14 control; 17 intervention; 72% African American) for a retention rate of 74%. Intervention caregivers showed reduced caregiving stress in comparison with control group caregivers, who showed increases in stress. Intervention patients reported decreased breathing difficulty and increased religious meaning. Caregivers and patients reported greater social interaction on the part of the patient. All participants in the intervention group initiated a Legacy activity and reported that Legacy improved family communication. Legacy interventions hold promise and are simple to implement.
Allen
Rebecca S
RS
Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0315, USA. rsallen@bama.ua.edu
Hilgeman
Michelle M
MM
Ege
Margaret A
MA
Shuster
John L
JL
Burgio
Louis D
LD
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013727:Terminal Care
Support Care Cancer. 1998 Nov;6(6):539-41
9833305
J Psychiatr Res. 1975 Nov;12(3):189-98
1202204
Palliat Med. 2007 Mar;21(2):115-28
17344260
Gerontologist. 1997 Apr;37(2):218-32
9127978
J Palliat Care. 2004 Autumn;20(3):134-42
15511031
Issues Ment Health Nurs. 1998 Sep-Oct;19(5):481-94
9782864
Psychol Aging. 1991 Mar;6(1):100-8
2029358
J Am Psychoanal Assoc. 1956 Jan;4(1):56-121
13286157
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2004 Jul;59(4):P185-90
15294922
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2006 Jul;61(4):P202-12
16855032
Cancer. 2000 May 1;88(9):2164-71
10813730
Behav Res Ther. 2003 Oct;41(10):1137-48
12971936
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 1998 Sep;53(5):S267-77
9750575
J Exp Psychol Gen. 2003 Jun;132(2):310-24
12825643
J Gerontol. 1991 Jul;46(4):P181-9
2071844
J Palliat Med. 2005;8 Suppl 1:S132-9
16499461
Palliat Med. 2007 Sep;21(6):519-25
17846092
J Pers Soc Psychol. 1988 Jun;54(6):1063-70
3397865
J Aging Health. 2006 Aug;18(4):604-28
16835392
Cogn Behav Ther. 2005;34(2):115-23
15986788
Palliat Med. 2007 Apr;21(3):219-25
17641075
Gerontologist. 1969 Autumn;9(3):179-86
5349366
Gerontologist. 2001 Aug;41(4):449-60
11490043
Psychol Aging. 2007 Jun;22(2):361-71
17563191
Nebr Symp Motiv. 1992;40:209-54
1340521
J Clin Oncol. 2005 Aug 20;23(24):5520-5
16110012
Soc Sci Med. 1997 Oct;45(8):1207-21
9381234
J Pers. 1996 Dec;64(4):899-922
8956517
Psychol Aging. 2005 Dec;20(4):554-70
16420131
J Am Geriatr Soc. 1992 Sep;40(9):922-35
1512391
J Pain Symptom Manage. 2000 Mar;19(3):174-84
10760622
Psychol Aging. 2004 Jun;19(2):270-7
15222820
J Palliat Med. 2005;8 Suppl 1:S103-15
16499458
Cancer. 2006 Jan 1;106(1):214-22
16329131
Psychol Aging. 1989 Jun;4(2):195-201
2789747