title: Reactions to caregiving during an intervention targeting frailty in community living older people.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The demands and consequences of caregiving are considerable. However, such outcomes are not commonly investigated in the evaluation of interventions targeting frailty. This study aims to explore family carers' reactions to caregiving during an intervention targeting frailty in community living older people.
  
  
  METHODS
  A study of carers (n=119) embedded in a 12 month randomised controlled intervention targeting frailty in people 70 years or older, compared to usual care. Reactions to caregiving were measured in the domains of health, finance, self-esteem, family support and daily schedule. Anxiety and depression levels were also evaluated. Carer outcomes were measured at baseline, 6 months and 12 months and at 3 months post frailty intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Carers of frail older people in the intervention group showed a sustained improvement in health scores during the intervention targeting frailty, while health scores for carers of the frail older people in the control group, decreased and therefore their health worsened (F=2.956, p=0.034). The carers of the frail older people in the intervention group reported overall better health (F=5.303, p=0.023) and self-esteem (F=4.158, p=0.044), and co-resident carers reported higher self-esteem (F=4.088, p=0.046). Anxiety levels increased for carers in both intervention and control groups (F=2.819, p=0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The inclusion of carers in trials targeting frail older people may assist in the identification of at-risk carers and facilitate the provision of information and support that will assist them to continue providing care. Further research that explores the features of frailty interventions that impact on the caregiving experience is recommended.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12608000565347.
authors.affiliation: Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia. christina.aggar@sydney.edu.au
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aggar
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ronaldson
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Cameron
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D061345:Early Medical Intervention / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012649:Self Concept