title: Effects of the TCARE® intervention on caregiver burden and depressive symptoms: preliminary findings from a randomized controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the effects of a manualized care management protocol specifically designed for care managers working with caregivers, the Tailored Caregiver Assessment and Referral® (TCARE®) protocol, on caregiver identity discrepancy, burden, and depressive symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Preliminary data from a longitudinal, randomized, controlled intervention study with 266 family caregivers served by 52 care managers in 4 states were analyzed using repeated measures random effects regression procedures. Caregivers in the intervention and control groups were repeatedly assessed for up to 9 months on caregiver identity discrepancy, 3 areas of caregiving burden-objective, relationship, and stress burdens; depression; and intention for nursing home placement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found significant group by time interaction effects for caregiver identity discrepancy, relationship burden, stress burden, depression, and intention for nursing home placement. Caregivers in the intervention group experienced significant improvement on these measures, whereas caregivers in the control group worsened on these measures over time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The preliminary findings provide strong support for effectiveness of the TCARE® protocol on improving caregiver well-being and mental health outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Correspondence should be addressed to Rhonda J. V. Montgomery, Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, P.O. Box 786, Milwaukee, WI 53201. E-mail: rm@uwm.edu.
authors.forename: Rhonda J V
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.forename: Jung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kosloski
authors.forename: Katharine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: O'Connell Valuch
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007063:Identity Crisis; D007326:Institutionalization; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000379:methods*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012649:Self Concept; D012945:Social Values; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology