Measuring Self-Appraised Changes following Participation in an Intervention for Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia.

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Self-Appraisal of Change Scale, a measure designed to capture domains that are subjectively relevant to caregivers, associated with overall well-being, and amenable to change upon engaging in an intervention. Data from 107 caregivers of veterans with dementia enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a telephone-delivered caregiver psychoeducation and support group program (the Telehealth Education Program (TEP)) were analyzed. The TEP, which was delivered by master's prepared social workers and a nurse dementia care manager, targeted caregivers' dementia-related knowledge, attitudes, and self-management skills.

The effect of telephone support groups on costs of care for veterans with dementia.

Purpose: Few studies have addressed the effects of caregiver interventions on the costs of care for the care recipient. This study evaluated the effects of a caregiver education and support group delivered via the telephone on care recipient health care utilization and cost.

Design And Methods: The Telehealth Education Program (TEP) is a manualized program of education and support designed for caregivers of veterans with moderate-to-severe dementia.

Effectiveness of advanced illness care teams for nursing home residents with dementia.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of advanced illness care teams (AICTs) for nursing home residents with advanced dementia. The AICTs used a holistic approach that focused on four domains: (1) medical, (2) meaningful activities, (3) psychological, and (4) behavioral. The authors recruited 118 residents in two nursing homes for this study and randomly assigned them to AICT or to usual care (UC).

The effectiveness of a telephone support program for caregivers of frail older adults.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a telephone support group program on spouses and adult child caregivers of frail older adults.

Design And Methods: The Telephone Support Group (TSG) model is a multicomponent group program offered in 12 weekly, 90-minute group sessions. It includes emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies, education, and support.

Effects of a program for coordinated care of advanced illness on patients, surrogates, and healthcare costs: a randomized trial.

Objective: To evaluate the Advanced Illness Coordinated Care Program (AICCP), delivered by allied health personnel to improve care for patients coping with advanced illness and in need of preparation for end-of-life (EOL) care.

Study Design: Clinical trial involving 275 patients and 143 surrogates in 6 settings who were randomly assigned to the AICCP or usual care (UC).

Methods: The AICCP participants met with a care coordinator for assistance with provider communication, care coordination, and support.

Supporting caregivers of frail older adults in an HMO setting.

The long-term effectiveness of a structured health education program (HEP) for spouses and frail older adults was evaluated in a staff model health maintenance organization (HMO). HEP is a multicomponent group program that includes emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies, education, and support. For caregivers, HEP was more effective than usual care (UC) in reducing depression, increasing knowledge of community services and how to access them, and changing caregivers' feelings of competence and the way they respond to the caregiving situation.

Increasing the use of formal services by caregivers of people with dementia.

This study evaluated the impact of an information and referral intervention designed to help family caregivers of people with dementia obtain needed health and human services. Caregivers (N = 608) of community-residing people with dementia were surveyed about their need for and use of community services. Of the 608 caregivers, 203 agreed to be referred to a staff member of an Alzheimer's Association chapter to get help finding needed health and community services.

Predictors of health and human services use by persons with dementia and their family caregivers.

The aim of this study was to identify predictors of the use of health and human services by community residing persons with dementia and their family caregivers. Telephone interviews were conducted with a sample of 608 primary caregivers of community residing persons with dementia who were randomly selected from a state-wide dementia registry. The Anderson Behavioral Model of Health Care Use was used as the analytic framework.