Telephone Support for Dementia Caregivers

A previous pilot study of this approach showed reduced burden and reaction to memory and behavior problems for dementia caregivers. This study will test the intervention in a larger group of caregivers and have a more detailed analysis of outcomes.

The caregiver of a person with dementia will receive telephone support calls. They will receive telephone calls from a trained member of the research team. These calls will occur over a six-month period and will be scheduled at a time that is convenient for the caregiver. They will receive a total of 16 calls over 6 months. During each call, the support person will discuss their current caregiving situation and provide various forms of support.

Inclusion criteria

• 1) Diagnosis of dementia;
• 2) mild to moderate dementia;
• 3) family member or other adult in caregiver role for at least 6 months, and who provides at least 4 hours of supervision or direct assistance per day for the person with dementia;
• 4) care recipient lives in the community, including senior/retirement centers, but excluding nursing homes and assisted living centers; and
• 5) there is no plan for the care recipient to be placed in long term care or the caregiver to end their role within the next 6 months

Exclusion criteria

Patient:

• 1) other major medical condition affecting independent functioning
• 2) older than age 90; and
• 3) younger than age 50.

Caregiver:

• 1) major acute medical illness;
• 2) English not primary language;
• 3) cognitive impairment;
• 4) no access to a telephone; or
• 5) older than age 90.