Assessing the effects of communication counseling for caregivers of individuals with dementia of the Alzheimer's type

Caregiver intervention programs may be the only viable option for addressing the cognitive and communicative problems associated with dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT). Because persons with DAT cannot benefit from traditional forms of cognitive-linguistic therapy due to memory deficits, caregiver intervention is needed to ensure positive interactions and continued quality of life. Nineteen professional and family caregivers participated in two sessions of group communication counseling aimed at decreasing caregiver hassles and reports of communication problems. It also focused on increasing caregiver communication knowledge. This research study provided support for the use of caregiver communication counseling as an effective means of increasing caregiver knowledge of communication problems associated with DAT and strategies for their management.