Improved Strain and Psychosocial Outcomes for Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia: Findings from Project ANSWERS

Abstract

ANSWERS was efficacious in improving key strain and psychosocial outcomes for caregivers. Features essential to the success of ANSWERS included a strength-based approach for selecting, developing, and implementing care goals, as well as teaching caregivers educational and cognitive rehabilitation skills for addressing care needs.

Communication training interventions for family and professional carers of people living with dementia: a systematic review of effectiveness, acceptability and conceptual basis

“…Four out of eight studies found that training interventions reduced carer anxiety and/or depression (Gitlin et al, 2010;Judge et al, 2010;Livingston et al, 2013;Raglio et al, 2016), and three of these were RCTs (Gitlin et al, 2010;Judge et al, 2013;Livingston et al, 2013). Again the two interventions described in the previous paragraph were effective (Gitlin et al, 2010;Judge et al, 2013), as was a home-based programme that involves developing skills and active participation by carers (Livingston et al, 2013).…”

“…Again the two interventions described in the previous paragraph were effective (Gitlin et al, 2010;Judge et al, 2013), as was a home-based programme that involves developing skills and active participation by carers (Livingston et al, 2013). One of these also conferred greater improvements and reduced upset regarding behaviour that challenges than TAU control (Gitlin et al, 2010).…”

“…Four out of ten studies found that training interventions reduced carer burden (Gitlin et al, 2010;Haberstroh et al, 2011;Judge, Yarry, Looman, & Bass, 2013;Raglio et al, 2016); two of these were RCTs (Gitlin et al, 2010;Judge et al, 2013). Five RCTs found no significant improvement in caregiver burden or strain of training interventions when compared to TAU controls (Cristancho-Lacroix et al, 2015;De Rotrou et al, 2011;Gitlin et al, 2010;Liddle et al, 2012;Prick et al, 2015).…”

The Effects of Caregiving Resources on Perceived Health among Caregivers

“…Skillbased interventions can include educa tion and information about caring for older adults and for locating necessary community services. Recent intervention research identified effective skills that can enhance caregiver selfefficacy such as caregiving related decision making skills and information on dealing with the symptoms of cognitive impairments ( Judge, Yarry, Looman, & Bass, 2013).…”

Comunicação e cuidados paliativos em demência: revisão de 5 anos

“…After 6 weeks, it was observed a marked decrease care-related strain in caregivers, characterized by lower emotional health strain, higher caregiving mastery and fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety. These improvements implicated a better care for patients with dementia under their attention 24 . In the United Kingdom, a strategy of educating caregivers through a manual and audio instructions have also been proved to be effective in reducing affective symptoms and case level depression in carers of family members with dementia.…”