Coping with dementia: Evaluation of four nonpharmacologic interventions

To evaluate nonpharmacologic interventions, caregivers (65 women, 38 men) a nd their dementia-diagnosed spouses (patients) were randomized to one of fo ur treatment programs (cognitive stimulation, dyadic counseling, dual suppo rtive seminar, and early-stage day care) or to a wait-list control group. A ssessments occurred initially and at postintervention (3 months). Patients were evaluated on memory, verbal fluency, and problem-solving ability, and caregivers were assessed on marital interaction, emotional status, and phys ical health, along with stress, coping, and social support. Caregivers also completed a program evaluation. Repeated measures procedures showed that p atients in the cognitive stimulation group demonstrated more improvement ov er time in cognitive outcomes, and caregivers decreased in depressive sympt oms. Early-stage day-care and dual supportive seminar group caregivers repo rted a decrease in hostility and a decrease in use of negative coping strat egies, respectively. Although qualitatively derived benefits differed acros s groups, similarities in program content reduced the potential. for quanti tative differentiation among the groups.