As well as affecting those who actually have the condition Alzheimer's disease also takes a terrible toll on caregivers, leading to anxiety and depression among this group. A U.S. study of 158 spouse-caregivers looked into the effectiveness of counselling and social support in helping to prevent or ameliorate depression. Half the participants were given a comprehensive psychosocial intervention, including two individual and three family counselling sessions, as well as telephone counselling on demand for two years; the other participants were merely given information on request. Symptoms of depression in the caregivers were measured at the start of the study, and at regular follow-up assessments over two years. Over the course of the study the group receiving the psychosocial intervention showed reduced levels of depression whereas levels of depression increased in the control group.
You can find out more about this research at
http://psychcentral.com/news/2008/11/03/intervention-helps-alzheimer-caregivers/3254.html
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