Caregiver Syndrome - REACH Program

REACH Program

The Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health (REACH) Project was created in 1995. This project was designed to enhance family caregiving for those who were taking care of relatives that have Alzheimer's disease and other related dementia. (ADRD) This program includes:

  • Support groups
  • Behavioral skills training programs
  • Family-based systems interventions

This program was designed specifically for people who are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia at home, and makes it possible for those with dementia to live in the own homes longer by addressing these problems of caregiver health that force the caregiver to move their loved ones to facilities. If they can manage the challenges that come along with caregiving better, both will benefit from this. Special one-on-one training is provided for the caregiver, as well as counseling. This allows them to be more effective in their caregiving roles. They receive help directly from dementia care specialists who work with the client on an individual basis to find solutions to problems such as:

  • Caregiver stress
  • Challenging behaviors
  • Home safety
  • Depression
  • Self care
  • Social support

This project began with two studies that were sponsored by the National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Nursing Research. There was a six month intervention that was designed to ease caregiver stress with the main focus being on education, support, and skills building. The families were taught how to reduce stress, solve problems, and manage the difficult behaviors of their family members. In order to develop coping skills, role playing was used. The caregivers were also provided with a "caregiver notebook" that was written to discuss topics ranging from physical care of the person with Alzheimer's to emotional and communication issues. The benefit of this program is that it's tailored to whatever the families need help with the most, and is made for caregivers who are highly stressed. Since about 80% of care of those with dementia is provided by a family member, these family members lack the necessary skills to deal with the troubling behaviors associated with dementia, as well as their own stress. Because of this, the family member with dementia is less likely to be able to stay at home.

If caregiving is cognitively reappraised, it can be viewed as a positive aspect of the caregivers' life. If this is viewed as an extension of a relationship that is long lasting and reciprocal, caregivers are able to experience satisfaction in their work as well as enhanced self esteem due to the fact that they're helping a loved one. The most beneficial part of this project for the caregiver is that their health (both physically and mentally) can be maintained. This program found that caregivers to those with Dementia felt good about themselves, useful, and needed. In turn, they could appreciate their own lives more. They developed an attitude toward life that was positive, and strengthened their relationships with others around them.

Findings from this study showed improvements in the caregivers in many areas. They reported less burden and depression, as well as having an improved emotional well-being overall. They reported gains in the areas of self care as well as healthy behaviors, social support, and management of problem behaviors that were on the part of their loved ones with Alzheimer's disease. They were able to have an hour of time that was not taken up with duties of caregiving. Plus, the cost was relatively cheap - about $5 a day/caregiver.

Read more about this topic:  Caregiver Syndrome

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