CBT-BASED TELEPHONE INTERVENTION FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA

To prevent caregivers from the development of stress related health impairments, effective interventions are still needed. This presentation focused on the evaluation of a telephone intervention for family caregivers of people with dementia in Germany. The individual intervention (12 sessions in 6 months, each 50 minutes) uses cognitive-behavioural therapy adapted to specific problems of the caregivers. The intervention aims to improve well-being, quality of life and to reduce body complaints and depressive symptoms. A randomized controlled trial ( N = 322 primary family caregivers) was conducted and the intervention was implemented by cognitive-behavioural therapists. Compared with caregivers in the control condition, caregivers who received Tele.TAnDem demonstrated significantly greater improvements in well-being, depressive symptoms (CES-D), body complaints (GBB-24) and quality of life (WHO-Qol-Bref) at post treatment measurement. Regarding the achievement of caregivers individual goals, results showed that 77% achieved complete goal attainment. Findings support the acceptability and effectiveness of the Tele.TAnDem intervention.