MANAGEMENT OF CAREGIVERS’ BURDEN. PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTIONS FOR DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS

Abstract

Caregiver burden can be defined as the physical, emotional or financial strain borne by a person who cares for a chronically ill. According to this review, psychosocial interventions for caregivers of dementia include: cognitive and psychotherapeutic interventions, family therapy and counseling, self-help groups, and educational programs. Caregivers of people with dementia are at greater risk of becoming physically and mentally ill, compared to caregivers of other medical conditions. Psychosocial interventions are effective and can improve caregivers’ quality of life, reduce their care burden, and ease their anxiety or depressive symptoms. Although understanding the needs of caregivers is critical to developing effective intervention plans, few programs systematically assessed their needs due to the limited time available for caregivers and the stigma surrounding dementia. Despite the positive effects of these interventions, it is difficult to evaluate their effectiveness due to methodological issues. However, the involvement of caregivers in psychosocial interventions is an integral part of the effective treatment and management of dementia.