title: Psycho-educational support for relatives of people with a recent diagnosis of mild to moderate dementia: an evaluation of a 'Course for Carers'.
abstract: Currently there are 820,000 people with dementia in the UK, a figure projected to reach 1.7 million by 2050. Policy and practice emphasis on early intervention in dementia and support of family carers foreground a need to explore service efficacy for relatives of those with a recent diagnosis. Existing evidence suggests that psycho-educational interventions can significantly enhance carer well being especially when well targeted and group based. A rolling programme of seven psycho-educational Courses for 'new carers' in one area of England was the subject of a systematic evaluation incorporating a quantitative rating scale and qualitative data. Findings suggest that the Courses achieved a number of intersecting aims: they provided psychological support; offered advice; enhanced coping skills; boosted confidence; increased knowledge; and prepared the carer for the future. That the Courses were designed and delivered by specialist staff - primarily psychologists, offered a social dimension, were time limited and free are noteworthy features. The evaluation suggests that as a model the Course has considerable short and longer term preventive potential; also that it could be replicated elsewhere in the country and achieve similar outcomes.
authors: University of Kent, UK A.J.Milne@kent.ac.uk.
authors: Alisoun
authors: A
authors: Milne
authors: Psychology Services for Older People, Kent, UK; Kent and Medway NHS Partnership Trust, UK.
authors: Reinhard
authors: R
authors: Guss
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Russ
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support
keywords: carers; groups for relatives of people with a recent dementia diagnosis; psycho-educational support; service evaluation