A novel two-day intervention reduces stress in caregivers of persons with dementia

INTRODUCTION: Caregivers of individuals with dementia are at heightened risk for stress-related mental and physical illnesses, and this problem is growing. There is a critical need to develop effective interventions for caregivers. This study tested whether a 2-day intervention improved psychological health in caregivers of individuals with dementia. METHODS: Family caregivers (N = 104) were randomly assigned to a 2-day intervention or wait-list control group. The intervention uses techniques aimed at fostering self-care for caregivers and improving communication between caregivers and individuals with dementia. Self-reported caregiver burden, stress, anxiety, and depression were measured at 1, 3, and 6 months after intervention. RESULTS: Most participants (91.5%) completed the entire study. The intervention significantly reduced perceived stress for up to 6 months (Β = -2.84, t = -2.68, P = .008) and was considered by nearly all respondents to be helpful for managing challenging behaviors. DISCUSSION: A low-cost, brief intervention shows promise for producing lasting improvements in caregiver's psychological health.