This program underscores that a proactive intervention approach from the onset of the care trajectory is key to fostering caregiver adaptation to the new challenges they must meet.

This is one of the first studies showing a significant effect of this type of support group program on the caregivers of participants with dementia.

BackgroundThough advances in knowledge and diagnostics make it possible today to identify persons with early-onset dementia or a related cognitive disorder much sooner, little is known about the support needs of the family caregivers of these persons. The aim of this study was to document the unmet support needs of this specific group of caregivers. This knowledge is essential to open avenues for the development of innovative interventions and professional services tailored to their specific needs.MethodsThis study was conducted using a mixed research design. Participants were 32 family caregivers in their 50s recruited through memory clinics and Alzheimer Societies in Quebec (Canada). The Family Caregivers Support Agreement (FCSA) tool, based on a partnership approach between caregiver and assessor, was used to collect data in the course of a semi-structured interview, combined with open-ended questions.ResultsThe unmet support needs reported by nearly 70% of the caregivers were primarily of a psycho-educational nature. Caregivers wished primarily: (1) to receive more information on available help and financial resources; (2) to have their relatives feel valued as persons and to offer them stimulating activities adjusted to their residual abilities; (3) to reduce stress stemming from their caregiver role assumed at an early age and to have the chance to enjoy more time for themselves; and (4) to receive help at the right time and for the help to be tailored to their situation of caregiver of a young person.ConclusionsResults show numerous unmet support needs, including some specific to this group of family caregivers. Use of the FCSA tool allowed accurately assessing the needs that emerged from mutual exchanges. Avenues for professional innovative interventions are proposed.

The purpose of this randomized study was to test the persistent and delayed effects of an intervention program entitled "Taking Care of Myself " on selected mental health outcomes of daughter caregivers of a relative with dementia living in a long-term care setting. One group of caregivers took part in the experimental program (EG, n = 45), one in a comparison program offered by an Alzheimer Society (AG, n = 51), and another constituted a control group (CG, n = 41). Effects were verified at the end of the program and 3 months later. Results from prediction analyses reveal that competence dealing with healthcare staff and use of the coping strategy of reframing were persistent effects unique to the EG condition, whereas perceived availability of informal and formal support was a persistent effect in the EG and in the AG. A delayed effect was observed in the AG regarding competence dealing with healthcare staff. These results underline the importance of follow-up assessments of intervention programs and suggest avenues to support caregivers of institutionalized seniors.