Seeking to Understand Telephone Support for Dementia Caregivers

Abstract

Caregivers of persons with dementia encounter particular challenges in their roles and often experience unmet needs for information and emotional support. This article describes a qualitative descriptive study designed to explore the intervention of telephone support for such caregivers. Data were collected from both caregivers and telephone support providers. Results revealed that telephone support met four specific needs of dementia caregivers: the need for (a) information and education, (b) referral and/or assistance required to navigate through the system, (c) emotional support, and (d) caregiver support that is convenient and hassle free. Caregivers' main experience with the intervention was the sense of companionship, whereas service providers experienced mixed feelings of helplessness and an opportunity to empower caregivers.

Feasibility of a Telephone-Based Counseling Program for Informal Caregivers of Hospice Patients

“…[13][14][15] Numerous studies have documented the effectiveness of telephone-administered interventions for alleviating depression and distress in various populations [16][17][18][19][20] A telephone-delivered intervention was deemed particularly relevant to caregivers of home-based hospice patients given their reluctance to leave the home for long periods of time. We theorized that a telephone-based intervention aimed at improving coping skills and integrating a sense of meaning into caregiving activities would lead to increased utilization of adaptive coping strategies and decreased distress in a group of informal hospice caregivers.…”

Telephone-delivered psychoeducational intervention for Hong Kong Chinese dementia caregivers: a single-blinded randomized controlled trial

“…The intervention is based on theories including psychosocial transition and stress coping theory, under the framework of cognitive behavioral therapy,10,12,21 and focuses on providing emotional support; directing caregivers to appropriate resources; encouraging them to attend to their own physical, emotional, and social needs; and educating them on strategies to cope with ongoing problems. It is hypothesized that the telephone-delivered psychoeducational intervention can alleviate caregiver burden and enhance caregiving self-efficacy.…”

Reaching rural caregivers with a multicomponent telehealth intervention: The telehelp line for caregivers.

“…Among the outcome measures were the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-45.2; Lambert et al, 1996) and the Social Provisions Scale (Russell & Cutrona, 1984). The OQ-45.2 is a 45-item measure to assess distress, interpersonal and role problems.…”

“…High scores are refiective of distress symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and role difficulties (interpersonal and social). The Social Provisions Scale (SPS, Russell & Cutrona, 1984) is a 24-item, proximal outcome instmment used to assess the extent to which a person perceives that their current relationsbips provide them social support and consists of six subscales; Guidance, Reliable Alliance, the sense that others can be counted on if needed; Reassurance of Worth, feeling that others recognize and appreciate your abilities; Attachment which evaluates emotional closeness, sense of intimacy with another; Social Integration, the sense of belonging based on shared interests and values; and Opportunity for Nurturance, which is providing assistance to others.…”