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P1‐447: Psychotherapy Intervention for Family Caregivers: Does Early Intervention Matter?
Author(s) -
Kilimann Ingo,
Thiel Franziska,
Braungardt Tanja,
Finke Ulrike,
Landschoof Nadja,
Schneider Wolfgang,
Teipel Stefan J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2016.06.1199
Subject(s) - dysfunctional family , intervention (counseling) , psychological intervention , psychology , clinical psychology , waiting list , group psychotherapy , medicine , depression (economics) , psychotherapist , psychiatry , physical therapy , surgery , transplantation , economics , macroeconomics
and differences. Results: The participants’ ratings of the effect of the program ranged from no benefit to an improvement of self-efficacy and coping strategies. Some participants found the intervention easy to access, others have had difficulty participating. The rating depended on the actual health status of both the carer and the care recipient and on the anticipated effect of a psychotherapeutical intervention in general. Some participants had initially expected only information and advice for their daily life or someone to talk with. Consequently, they were not open towards active participation, self-reflection and developing strategies to relief the burden of care. More detailed results will be presented at the conference. Conclusions: Our results show a high variability in the valuation of the intervention. Interestingly, participants favour more homogeneity within the psychotherapy group to increase the efficacy of the intervention, whereas from a psychotherapeutical perspective a certain degree of heterogeneity is potentially helpful to advance group processes. Based on the participants’ responses, adaptations of the program should consider a stronger emphasis on the relief of caregiver burden and strengthening coping skills rather than on the care recipient.