QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF AN EDUCATIONAL-MODEL FOR DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS

Dementia caregivers are known to be distressed and may be helped by psychoeducational interventions. We investigated the effectiveness of one model of intervention comprising a structured package of six sessions of training, focusing on education, stress management and problem behaviour management in a group setting. Three groups of caregivers were compared-those who had completed (N = 33) or partially completed (N = 22) training and a control group (N = 26)-on measures of psychological stress, burden, satisfaction with life, well-being and knowledge. There were no significant differences in outcome between the three groups. We conclude that, with methodological qualifications, this quasi-experimental study of one model of training was not empirically effective. Interventions for caregivers should be tailored to individual needs from a range of techniques encompassing psychological and practical strategies.