Telephone Support for Dementia Caregivers

A previous pilot study of this approach showed reduced burden and reaction to memory and
behavior problems for dementia caregivers. This study will test the intervention in a larger
group of caregivers and have a more detailed analysis of outcomes.

The caregiver of a person with dementia will receive telephone support calls. They will
receive telephone calls from a trained member of the research team. These calls will occur
over a six-month period and will be scheduled at a time that is convenient for the
caregiver. They will receive a total of 16 calls over 6 months. During each call, the
support person will discuss their current caregiving situation and provide various forms of
support.

Inclusion Criteria:

- 1) Diagnosis of dementia;

- 2) mild to moderate dementia;

- 3) family member or other adult in caregiver role for at least 6 months, and who
provides at least 4 hours of supervision or direct assistance per day for the person
with dementia;

- 4) care recipient lives in the community, including senior/retirement centers, but
excluding nursing homes and assisted living centers; and

- 5) there is no plan for the care recipient to be placed in long term care or the
caregiver to end their role within the next 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

Patient:

- 1) other major medical condition affecting independent functioning

- 2) older than age 90; and

- 3) younger than age 50.

Caregiver:

- 1) major acute medical illness;

- 2) English not primary language;

- 3) cognitive impairment;

- 4) no access to a telephone; or

- 5) older than age 90.