Teleconferencing as a Source of Social Support for Older Spousal Caregivers

Abstract

Teleconferencing is increasingly being used as a medium of delivering social support for dementia caregivers. Further direction is required from pilot studies before the optimal clinical service can be delivered. Following a 6-week pilot support group for spousal caregivers, delivered via teleconferencing software, we interviewed 8 participants for their feedback. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using grounded theory analysis. Themes of "group processes" and "barriers," containing subcategories of "functions of the group," "responsibilities of facilitators," and "barriers to communication" were discussed. According to caregivers, successful teleconferencing support groups should acknowledge the caregiver as the dementia expert, allow participants to meet before the deployment of the support group, provide active facilitation and leadership via the researcher, employ user-friendly technologies, and facilitate for the group to self-maintain following the pilot deployment period. These issues should be taken into consideration when designing future teleconferencing applications for caregivers.

Carer engagement in the hospital care of older people: an integrative literature review

“…Older carers caring for older patients require accessible support. An evaluation of teleconferencing support (McHugh et al ., ) provided to carers ( n = 8) of people with dementia in the United States (US) found important issues were group processes, external facilitation and barriers to communication (the need for user‐friendly technologies). However, a pilot intervention study providing an individualised training programme to carers of hospitalised older veterans in the United States (Hendrix et al ., ) found carer participation in training is associated with increased self‐efficacy and caregiving preparedness.…”

A systematic review of Internet‐based supportive interventions for caregivers of patients with dementia

“…Caregivers of patients with chronic diseases, such as brain damage (Sander et al ., ) and heart diseases (Dew et al ., ), already use supportive technology and report positive effects on well‐being. At present, the growth of remote support for dementia caregivers is increasing, given the current development of new Internet interventions (Hayden et al ., ; Blom et al ., ) and telephone interventions (Wilz et al ., ; Forducey et al ., ; McHugh et al ., ; van Mierlo et al ., ). Although telephone interventions are qualitatively different, research on effects of telephone interventions concurs with the outcomes of the currently reviewed Internet‐based studies.…”

“…Although telephone interventions are qualitatively different, research on effects of telephone interventions concurs with the outcomes of the currently reviewed Internet-based studies. Combining tailored information with the help of a coach and the possibility to interact with other caregivers results in successful outcomes for dementia caregivers (Wilz et al, 2011;Forducey et al, 2012;McHugh et al, 2012). These recent developments could provide a promising prospect for the digital generation of supportive interventions.…”

Using Mobile Technology to Provide Personalized Reminiscence for People Living With Dementia and Their Carers: Appraisal of Outcomes From a Quasi-Experimental Study

“…There is a need to support caregiving relationships in order to protect mental and physical well-being of the carers [ 23 , 24 ]. ICT has an important role to play in this endeavor by supporting social connectivity [ 25 ]. It is important, therefore, that in studies of technology-based reminiscence, family carers are included in addition to people living with dementia.…”