title: [Development of a nurse-led family counseling program for families of the elderly: the first cycle of a Community-Based Action Research Project (CBPR)].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the support of family members many elderly people can live an independent life at home. Accepting support respectively providing support might be a challenge for both elder and family member. Families often have little professional support to manage those challenges.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Therefore, a nurse-led counseling program for families of the elders has been established.
  
  
  METHODS
  The counseling program was developed with community-based participatory research (CBPR) methodology using individual and focus group interviews, as well as a written survey and tested in a pilot study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Managing disease in everyday life, helpful means of support at home, changes in family relations, information about services as well as information how to navigate the healthcare system have been themes to discuss in the counseling sessions. Participants in the pilot study showed a statistically not significant increase in well-being, and preparedness for care and were highly satisfied with the counseling program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Families of the elderly could actively participate in developing and researching a nurse-led family counseling program. Several family members still engage as co-researcher in the program and participate to improve the new service.
authors.affiliation: Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Nursing, Winterthur, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Romy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mahrer-Imhof
authors.affiliation: Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Nursing, Winterthur, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Hannele
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hediger
authors.affiliation: Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Nursing, Winterthur, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Rahel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Naef
authors.affiliation: Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Nursing, Winterthur, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bruylands
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000458:organization & administration; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D022143:Family Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology*; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration; D012944:Social Support; D013557:Switzerland
keywords: Community-based participatory research; Familienberatung; Familienpflege; Gemeindebasierte Aktionsforschung; family counseling; family nursing; neue Dienstleistung; novel service