Skills Training for Spouses of Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: Outcomes of an Intervention Study

Authors: Bourgeois M.S.¹; Schulz R.²; Burgio L.D.³; Beach S.⁴

Source: Journal of Clinical Geropsychology, Volume 8, Number 1, January 2002 , pp. 53-73(21)

Publisher: Springer

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $47.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

The effects of a 12-week intervention on a patient-focused skills training group and a caregiver-focused skills training group were compared with those on a control group that received comparable attention, but no training. Intervention effects were monitored at the completion of the treatment phase and at 3- and 6-months postintervention. Treatment implementation was documented in a comprehensive fashion to ensure replicability. Both training groups acquired skills that enabled them to improve targeted behaviors (patient problem behaviors and caregiver mood, respectively). Weaker effects were found for more distal outcomes, such as depression, perceived stress, caregiver strain, and self-efficacy.

Keywords: dementia; caregiver training; behavioral treatment; skills training

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: College of Communication, 302 Regional Rehabilitation Center, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida; mbourgeo@garnet.acns.fsu.edu 2: University Center for Social and Urban Research, 121 University Place, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; schulz@pop.pitt.edu 3: Applied Gerontology Program, Box 870315, University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa, Alabama; lburgio@sw.ua.edu 4: University Center for Social and Urban Research, 121 University Place, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; scottb@vms.cis.pitt.edu

Publication date: 2002-01-01