Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T05:46:01.376Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Dementelcoach: effect of telephone coaching on carers of community-dwelling people with dementia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 October 2011

Lisa D. van Mierlo ,
Franka J. M. Meiland  and
Rose-Marie Dröes
Lisa D. van Mierlo
Affiliation:
VU University Medical Centre, Department of Psychiatry/Alzheimer Centre, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands VU University Medical Centre, Department of Nursing Home Medicine/Alzheimer Centre, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Franka J. M. Meiland
Affiliation:
VU University Medical Centre, Department of Psychiatry/Alzheimer Centre, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands VU University Medical Centre, Department of Nursing Home Medicine/Alzheimer Centre, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Rose-Marie Dröes*
Affiliation:
VU University Medical Centre, Department of Psychiatry/Alzheimer Centre, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands VU University Medical Centre, Department of Nursing Home Medicine/Alzheimer Centre, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Professor Dr. R.M. Dröes, VU University Medical Centre, Department of Psychiatry/Alzheimer Centre, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Valeriusplein 9, 1075 BG Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Phone: +31–20-7885454; Fax: +31-20-6737458. Email: rm.drö[email protected].
Get access

Abstract

Background: Dementelcoach is a new telephone intervention to support informal caregivers of community-dwelling people with dementia. The effectiveness of this intervention was evaluated on burden and mental health problems of informal caregivers.

Methods: A pre-test/post-test comparison group design was used with three groups of informal caregivers. Two of the groups were experimental and received either (1) telephone coaching or (2) telephone coaching in combination with respite care (psychogeriatric day care); the third was a comparison group which received day care only. Telephone coaching was offered by trained coaches once every two to three weeks over a period of 20 weeks.

Results: Informal caregivers who received telephone coaching in combination with respite care reported significantly less burden compared to caregivers who received telecoaching only, and they experienced significantly fewer mental health problems than those who received day care only.

Conclusion: Telecoaching according to the principles of Dementelcoach combined with respite care (psychogeriatric day care) is more effective in reducing burden and health complaints in informal caregivers of community-dwelling people with dementia than telecoaching or day care only.

Keywords

dementiaoutcome studycaregiverstelephone interventionpsychosocial interventions
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 24 , Issue 2 , February 2012 , pp. 212 - 222
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alzheimer Nederland (2010). Alzheimer Nederland Factsheet. Available at: http://www.alzheimernederland.nl/media138133/feiten%20en%20cijfers.pdf.Google Scholar
Andren, S. and Elmstahl, S. (2008). The relationship between caregiver burden, caregivers’ perceived health and their sense of coherence in caring for elders with dementia. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17, 790–799.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Butler, R. (2008). The carers of people with dementia want high quality services and have compelling reasons to get them. BMJ, 336, 1260–1261.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chang, B. L., Nitta, S., Carter, P. A. and Markham, Y. K. (2004). Perceived helpfulness of telephone calls: providing support for caregivers of family members with dementia. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 30, 14–21.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.Google Scholar
Cummings, J. L., Mega, M., Gray, K., Rosenberg-Thompson, S., Carusi, A. and Gornbein, J. (1994). The Neuropsychiatric Inventory: comprehensive assessment of psychopathology in dementia. Neurology, 44, 2308–2314.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
de Vugt, M. et al. (2004). Do caregiver management strategies influence patient behaviour in dementia? International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 19, 85–92.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dröes, R. M., Lindeman, E. M., Breebaart, E. and van Tilburg, W. (1996). Determinanten van belasting van verzorgers van mensen die lijden aan dementie. [Determinants of burden of carers of people who suffer from dementia]. In Dröes, R. M. (ed.), Amsterdamse Ontmoetingscentra: een nieuwe vorm van ondersteuning voor dementerende mensen en hun verzorgers. (pp. 89–118). Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Vrije Universiteit, Afdeling Psychiatie.Google Scholar
Dröes, R. M., Meiland, F. J. M., Schmitz, M. J. and van Tilburg, W. (2006). Effect of the Meeting Centres Support Program on informal carers of people with dementia: results from a multi-centre study. Aging and Mental Health, 10, 113–114.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dunkin, J. J. and Anderson-Hanley, C. (1998). Dementia caregiver burden: a review of the literature and guidelines for assessment and intervention. Neurology, 51, S53–S60.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eagles, J. M., Craig, A., Rawlinson, F., Restall, D. B., Beattie, J. A. and Besson, J. A. (1987). The psychological well-being of supporters of the demented elderly. British Journal of Psychiatry, 50, 293–298.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Finkel, S., Czaja, S. J., Schulz, R., Martinovich, Z., Harris, C. and Pezzuto, D. (2007). E-care: a telecommunications technology intervention for family caregivers of dementia patients. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15, 443–448.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gallagher-Thompson, D. et al. (2007). Impact of in-home behavioral management versus telephone support to reduce depressive symptoms and perceived stress in Chinese caregivers: results of a pilot study. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15, 425–434.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gant, J. R., Steffen, A. M. and Lauderdale, S. A. (2007). Comparative outcomes of two distance-based interventions for male caregivers of family members with dementia. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, 22, 120–128.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Goodman, C. C. and Pynoos, J. (1990). A model telephone information and support program for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. Gerontologist, 30, 399–404.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Koeter, M. and Ormel, J. (1991). General Health Questionnaire: Nederlandse Bewerking. Lisse, The Netherlands: Swets & Zeitlinger.Google Scholar
Lazarus, R. S. and Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, Appraisal, and Coping. New York: Springer.Google Scholar
Meerveld, J., Schumacher, J., Krijger, E., Bal, R. and Nies, H. (2004). Het Landelijk Dementieprogramma. Utrecht, The Netherlands: Nederlands Instituut voor Zorg en Welzijn.Google Scholar
Meiland, F. J. M., Kat, M. G., van Tilburg, W., Jonker, C. and Dröes, R. M. (2005). The emotional impact of psychiatric symptoms in dementia on partner caregivers: do caregiver, patient, and situation characteristics make a difference? Alzheimer's Disease and Associated Disorders, 19, 195–201.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moos, R. H. and Tsu, V. D. (2004). The crisis of physical illness: an overview. In Moos, R. H. (ed.), Coping with Physical Illness. New York/London: Plenum Medical Book Company.Google Scholar
Pot, A. M., Deeg, D. J. H. and van Dyck, R. (1997). Psychological well-being of informal caregivers of elderly people with dementia: changes over time. Aging and Mental Health, 1, 261–268.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reisberg, B. and Ferris, S. H. (1988). The Brief Cognitive Rating Scale (BCRS). Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 24, 629–636.Google ScholarPubMed
Reisberg, B., Ferris, S. H., de Leon, M. J. and Crook, T. (1982). The Global Deterioration Scale for assessment of primary degenerative dementia. American Journal of Psychiatry, 139, 1136–1139.Google ScholarPubMed
Salfi, J., Ploeg, J. and Black, M. E. (2005). Seeking to understand telephone support for dementia caregivers. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 27, 701–721.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smith, T. L. and Toseland, R. W. (2006). The effectiveness of a telephone support program for caregivers of frail older adults. Gerontologist, 46, 620–629.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smits, C. H., de Lange, J., Dröes, R. M., Meiland, F., Vernooij-Dassen, M. and Pot, A. M. (2007). Effects of combined intervention programmes for people with dementia living at home and their caregivers: a systematic review. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 22, 1181–1193.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Telkamp, M. and de Koning, N. (2008). Dementelcoach: Telefonische Coach voor Mantelzorgers van mensen met een dementieel syndroom. Amersfoort/Leusden: Projection.Google Scholar
van der Roest, H. G., Meiland, F. J. M., Jonker, C. and Dröes, R. M. (2010). User evaluation of the DEMentia-specific Digital Interactive Social Chart (DEM-DISC): a pilot study among informal carers on its impact, user friendliness and usefulness. Aging and Mental Health, 14, 461–470.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vernooij-Dassen, M. J., Felling, A. J., Brummelkamp, E., Dauzenberg, M. G., van den Bos, G. A. and Grol, R. (1999). Assessment of caregiver's competence in dealing with the burden of caregiving for a dementia patient: a Short Sense of Competence Questionnaire (SSCQ) suitable for clinical practice. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 47, 256–257.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Winter, L. and Gitlin, L. N. (2006). Evaluation of a telephone-based support group intervention for female caregivers of community-dwelling individuals with dementia. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, 21, 391–397.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
World Alzheimer Report (2009). World Alzheimer Report 2009. Available at: www.alz.co.uk; last accessed 30 March 2010.Google Scholar