STRESS REDUCTION FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS - EFFECTS OF ADULT DAY-CARE USE

Objectives. This study reports the findings of an evaluation of the ps ychological benefits of use of adult day care by family caregivers ass isting a relative with dementia. Methods. The study used a quasi-exper imental design in which caregivers in the treatment group used substan tial amounts of services, whereas caregivers in a control group did no t use day care at any point during the evaluation and only small amoun ts of other respite services. The evaluation was guided by the stress process model of caregiving which distinguishes between appraisals of primary stressors and well-being. Results. Results after 3 months of d ay care use showed that the treatment group had significantly lower sc ores than the control group on two of the three measures of primary ap praisals (overload and strain) and two of the three measures of well-b eing (depression and anger). Findings at one year showed that the trea tment group had significantly lower scores on overload and depression than the control group. Discussion. These results demonstrate that use of adult day care by caregivers of dementia patients results in lower levels of caregiving-related stress and better psychological well-bei ng when compared to that of controls.