J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs.  2005 Sep;16(3):260-269.

A Study on the Development of Self-help Program with Care Burden for Families with Demented Elderly Persons

• Kim JS
• Lee SI
• Kim KT
• Park NH

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study were to understand the caregiving situation of families with the demented elderly and to develop a self-help program for them.
METHODS
A self-help program was designed to increase caregivers' confidence and skills in problem solving. In addition, it was designed to provide information about the demented elderly. The self-help program of this study was composed of nine sessions.
RESULTS
Family caregivers of elderly patients with dementia obviously experience high level of stress. which often leads the caregivers to negative outcomes such as depression, interference with social activities and health difficulties. That is, caring is stressful for caregivers because the demands of the caregiving situation tend to overwhelm the caregivers' coping resources. Therefore, families with demented elderly persons need assistances in order to be relieved from their care burden.
CONCLUSION
The self-help program includes the understanding of dementia, the family caregiving experiences of the demented elderly persons, the time for self-care, the search for helping, the improving of interpersonal relations and communications.

Keyword

Dementia; Programs; Burden

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Caregivers
Dementia
Depression
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Problem Solving
Self Care