Training family care givers of people with dementia to think in a more clinical manner decreased depression and the sense of burden.

Intervention 72 care givers accompanied by >1 family member were allocated to the intervention and given group training in 7 weekly, 2 hour workshops based on a stress and coping theoretical model, by a multidisciplinary team including a nurse, educator, family therapist, and occupational therapist. Participants were told that the training was similar to that which a clinician or nurse’s aid would receive, were given reading assignments, and instructed to try to implement strategies learned in the workshop. Training included information on dementia and its progressive effect on cognitive functioning; strategy development for managing daily life and behaviour; emphasis on the care giver’s role in assuring security and helping the care receiver to enjoy life; development of clinical care giving beliefs and strategies such as viewing a situation from a distance, dealing with care giving situations, and developing a strong belief that care givers should care for their own needs as well as the care receiver’s; and presentation and reinforcement of the care giver’s newly acquired skills. 45 care givers were allocated to a waiting list.