Reports & Resources

Novel Program Enhances Dementia Caregivers’ Quality of Life

The National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Nursing Research are looking at ways to improve the quality of life for caregivers.

Researchers found that a multifaceted, personalized intervention can significantly assist caregivers. The strategies included:

• information sharing
• instruction
• role playing
• problem solving
• skills training
• stress-management techniques
• telephone support groups

After six months, they found improvements in the caregivers’ overall quality of life were significant among the Hispanic and white caregivers who took part in the intervention. Improvements, while significant among African American spouse caregivers, were less so among non-spouse African American caregivers.

Follow-up studies will look at ways the intervention might be put in place in local areas by the existing network of health and aging services.

The NIH-funded study, “Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health II” (REACH II), was published in the November 21, 2006 Annals of Internal Medicine. 

Click here to read the press release. (posted 12/26/06)

© Copyright 2005. All Rights Reserved.