• R F Coen, C A O'Boyle, D Coakley, and B A Lawlor.
• Mercer's Institute for Research on Ageing, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
• Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 1999 Apr 1; 14 (4): 302-6.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of a dementia Carer Education Programme on carer quality of life (QoL), burden, and well-being.DesignSingle group before-after intervention study. The group was subdivided by perceived status post-programme for intragroup analysis.SettingHospital memory clinic.ParticipantsConvenience sample of 32 dementia carers.InterventionEight weekly 2 h education and support sessions run by a psychogeriatric clinical team.MeasuresPre-programme and 6 months post-programme data were obtained. Measures included individually perceived QoL, burden, well-being, managing problem behaviour, appraisal of social support, knowledge of dementia, and perception of the programme. Patients were characterized in terms of cognition, behaviour disturbance and functional status.ResultsTwelve carers reported their situation post-programme as 'better', 12 as 'worse', and four as 'no change'. There were no significant baseline differences. For 'better/no change' carers the only significant change over time was increased knowledge about dementia. For 'worse' carers knowledge also increased, but there was evidence of poorer QoL, increased burden, a poorer appraisal of social support, and increased patient behaviour disturbance. Only patient behaviour disturbance significantly discriminated 'no change/better' from 'worse' carers (F = 4.08, p = 0.055).ConclusionsThe programme increased carers' knowledge about dementia, but had no significant impact on QoL, burden, or well-being. Increased patient behaviour disturbance appeared to be a major factor when the carer's situation worsened over time. Despite high carer satisfaction the efficacy of a group-based education approach to the management of behaviour disturbance in dementia appears limited. More intensive or individually tailored interventions may be necessary alternatives.

30 keywords...

hide…