Caregivers in the United States are a rapidly growing segment of the system of care for
those with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Lack of training and support puts them at
risk of depression, anxiety and failure to take care of their own healthcare needs. Different
interventions with caregivers have been studied in both randomized controlled and nonrandomized
studies and many tools are available to assess burden of care and the effectiveness of
interventions to reduce the negative consequence of the experience. Results are inconclusive
and numerous studies have found that minimal evidence exists to support any one model of
intervention. There is however consensus that the needs of caregivers are not currently being
met. The purpose of this capstone project was to address those needs by developing a structured
support group focused on psycho education, self-care and an introduction to complementary
medicine. The goal was to reduce burden and depression and increase self-care by providing
participants with information and tools to assist in their role as caregivers. The results indicate
that support group provides emotional support, information and problem solving skills for
caregivers but does not necessarily reduce burden or depression or increase self-care. The
meaningful significance of this intervention is reflected in the satisfaction survey completed by
participants.
Selected validated tools did not yield results that were reliable due to: partially completed
forms; resistance to completing forms; confusion on the part of participants as to how to
complete forms leading to errors; some only completing the pre or post test but not both. Future
efforts should consider qualitative methods like storytelling and pre and post interviews.
Although the tools did not provided useful data the intervention was well attended and
satisfaction surveys revealed that for almost all of the attendees the group provided them with
important information, tools and support both from the leaders and from each other. Further
research is needed to clearly understand the needs and determine effective interventions for our
rapidly aging population and diminishing number of caregivers. Nurses are in a pivotal position
to implement and evaluate evidence-based interventions for Alzheimer’s disease and other
dementias.