Neuroscience
From an NIH press release:
Novel Program Enhances Dementia Caregivers’ Quality of Life
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE
Monday, November 20, 2006
5:00 p.m. ET
NIA Media Contacts:
Susan Farrer or Linda Joy
301-496-1752
[email protected]
NINR Media Contact:
Lanny Newman
301-496-0209
[email protected]
A multifaceted, personalized intervention can significantly improve the quality of life for caregivers of people with dementia, new research published Nov. 21, 2006, in Annals of Internal Medicine has found. The study, Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health II (REACH II), is the first randomized, controlled trial to look systematically at the effectiveness of a multi-component caregiver intervention provided to ethnically diverse populations. Follow-up studies, the researchers suggest, should examine how the intervention might be used in communities through the nation’s existing network of health and aging services.
REACH II was funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), both components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The research was conducted at five sites nationwide — the University of Alabama (Birmingham and Tuscaloosa), Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia), the University of Tennessee (Memphis), the University of Miami (Fla.) and Stanford University (Palo Alto, Calif.). The University of Pittsburgh served as the coordinating center, and Pittsburgh’s Richard Schulz, Ph.D., was corresponding author for the study.
“Family members and friends provide most of the care for millions of people with dementia who live at home, often facing challenges that can seriously compromise their own quality of life,” notes NIA Director Richard J. Hodes, M.D. “REACH II tells us that a well-designed, tailored intervention can make a positive, meaningful difference in caregivers’ lives.”
“This important research demonstrates that the intervention can readily benefit the diverse communities of caretakers who provide care to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease,” adds NINR Director Dr. Patricia A. Grady. “It also underscores the substantial cost that caregivers face — financially, physically, spiritually and emotionally — and helps to illustrate why caregiving research is a priority for NINR and NIA.”
The REACH II study included 642 individuals, more than 200 each of Hispanic, white and African American caregivers of persons with dementia. The caregivers within each ethnic/racial group were randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control group.
Trained project staff visited the caregivers in the intervention group at home nine times, talked with them during three half-hour telephone calls, and offered five structured telephone support sessions. The strategies included information sharing, instruction, role playing, problem solving, skills training, stress-management techniques and telephone support groups. Those in the control group received a packet of dementia education materials and two brief “check-in” telephone calls. Spanish-language services and materials were offered to the Spanish-speaking caregivers in Miami, Palo Alto and Philadelphia.
[ ... Read the full press release ... ]
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Neuroscience
Caregivers of Persons with Dementia
From an NIH press release:
Novel Program Enhances Dementia Caregivers’ Quality of Life
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE
Monday, November 20, 2006
5:00 p.m. ET
NIA Media Contacts:
Susan Farrer or Linda Joy
301-496-1752
[email protected]
NINR Media Contact:
Lanny Newman
301-496-0209
[email protected]
A multifaceted, personalized intervention can significantly improve the quality of life for caregivers of people with dementia, new research published Nov. 21, 2006, in Annals of Internal Medicine has found. The study, Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health II (REACH II), is the first randomized, controlled trial to look systematically at the effectiveness of a multi-component caregiver intervention provided to ethnically diverse populations. Follow-up studies, the researchers suggest, should examine how the intervention might be used in communities through the nation’s existing network of health and aging services.
REACH II was funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), both components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The research was conducted at five sites nationwide — the University of Alabama (Birmingham and Tuscaloosa), Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia), the University of Tennessee (Memphis), the University of Miami (Fla.) and Stanford University (Palo Alto, Calif.). The University of Pittsburgh served as the coordinating center, and Pittsburgh’s Richard Schulz, Ph.D., was corresponding author for the study.
“Family members and friends provide most of the care for millions of people with dementia who live at home, often facing challenges that can seriously compromise their own quality of life,” notes NIA Director Richard J. Hodes, M.D. “REACH II tells us that a well-designed, tailored intervention can make a positive, meaningful difference in caregivers’ lives.”
“This important research demonstrates that the intervention can readily benefit the diverse communities of caretakers who provide care to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease,” adds NINR Director Dr. Patricia A. Grady. “It also underscores the substantial cost that caregivers face — financially, physically, spiritually and emotionally — and helps to illustrate why caregiving research is a priority for NINR and NIA.”
The REACH II study included 642 individuals, more than 200 each of Hispanic, white and African American caregivers of persons with dementia. The caregivers within each ethnic/racial group were randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control group.
Trained project staff visited the caregivers in the intervention group at home nine times, talked with them during three half-hour telephone calls, and offered five structured telephone support sessions. The strategies included information sharing, instruction, role playing, problem solving, skills training, stress-management techniques and telephone support groups. Those in the control group received a packet of dementia education materials and two brief “check-in” telephone calls. Spanish-language services and materials were offered to the Spanish-speaking caregivers in Miami, Palo Alto and Philadelphia.
[ ... Read the full press release ... ]
-
Anthony H. Risser | neuroscience | neuropsychology | brain
- Neuropsychology Abstract Of The Day: Alzheimer's Disease
Does pharmacological treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease relieve caregiver burden? Drugs Aging. 2012 Mar 1;29(3):167-179 Levy K, Lanctôt KL, Farber SB, Li A, Herrmann NAbstractCaregiving for patients with Alzheimer's...
- New Online Dementia Resources From Ucsf
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Memory and Aging Center has recently revised their website and has launched a YouTube channel dedicated to educating patients, caregivers, and health professionals about neurodegenerative diseases and...
- More On The Active Study
From an NIH press release: EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE Tuesday, December 19, 2006 4:00 PM ET NIA CONTACT: Susan Farrer or Linda Joy 301- 496-1752 NINR CONTACT: Lanny Newman 301-496-0209 Mental Exercise Helps Maintain Some Seniors’ Thinking Skills Certain...
- Alzheimer Disease Community Resources
From an NIH press release: Easy-to-Read Booklets on Alzheimer’s Disease, Memory Loss Offered by NIA The National Institute on Aging (NIA), a component of the National Institutes of Health, now offers two free booklets designed to...
- Abstract Of The Day: Caregiver Rating Scale In Alzheimer Disease
Harvey PD, Moriarty PJ, Kleinman L, Coyne K, Sadowsky CH, Chen M, & Mirski DF. The validation of a caregiver assessment of dementia: the Dementia Severity Scale. Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders. 2005 Oct-Dec; 19(4): 186-194. OBJECTIVE: The...