Effect on Depression in Spouse Caregivers of AD Patients

A comprehensive support program: Effect on depression in spouse caregivers of AD patients

Citation Mittelman, M.S., Ferris, S.H., Shulman, E., Steinberg. G., Ambinder, A., Mackell, J.A.,& Cohen, J. (1995). A comprehensive support program: Effect on depression in spouse caregivers of AD patients. The Gerontological Society of America, 35, 792-802.

Design Experiment (gender and severity of patient’s dementia were covariates).

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a comprehensive support program on depression of spouse caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease patients living in New York City.

Hypothesis It was hypothesized that caregivers in the treatment group would become less depressed or remain stable, while caregivers in the control group would become more depressed.

Participants Participants were spouse caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, still living with patient and had at least one close relative in the NY City area. Support group participants and caregivers receiving counseling were excluded.

Outcome / Dependent Variables The dependent variable was caregiver depression measured on the Geriatric Depression Scale at 4, 8, and 12 months.

Procedure There were 3 components of intervention within the treatment group: 6 counseling sessions (2 individual, 4 family), caregiver support group and having access to ongoing counseling, including crisis intervention.

Outcomes There was positive interaction between treatment and caregiver depression but only 8 months after participants entered the study. The impact of the intervention increased with each follow up

Author Mittelman, M.S., Ferris, S.H., Shulman, E., Steinberg. G., Ambinder, A., Mackell, J.A.,& Cohen, J.