Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
A NEW STUDY has shown how getting help to deal with the mental strain associated with caring for a relative with dementia can stop a carer developing depression.
The Lancet medical journal published the research in the context of an estimated tripling of the instances of dementia over the course of the next thirty-five years.
It pointed out that the majority of patients with dementia are cared for at home by relatives, with an estimated 40% of those carers developing clinically significant depression or anxiety.
This is in turn can lead to the care breaking down and the patient being moved to a home.
The research demonstrates that this can be avoided by the relative learning some brief coping strategies. The strategies can help provides stress relief and emotional support and reduce the instances of depression and anxiety among carers.
Researchers at University College London (UCL) found that carers were seven times less likely to develop clinically significant depression if they studied some coping strategies.
The particular programme used during the trial was the START (STrAtegies for RelaTives) programme with researchers finding that the benefits can last for up to two years.
The programme is designed so that the carers are provided with support in tandem with the patient receiving treatment.
The programme consists of education about dementia and a carers’ stress levels as well as teaching about the behaviour of the family member being cared for.
The trial studied 260 family carers who were free from depression and observed how they coped with their relatives condition over the course of two years.
The study found both short and long-term benefits to carers who availed of the START programme.
“Too often people forget the substantial effect dementia has on family members caring for relatives with dementia,” says Prof. Gill Livingston of UCL.
“Policy frameworks assume that families will remain the main providers of their (unpaid) support. This new cost-neutral programme is an effective way to support carers and improve their mental health and quality of life and should be made widely available.”
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland provides a range of specialist services throughout Ireland.
First published 7am
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
I’m all for learning coping strategies but honestly this isn’t going to help when you can’t get basic supports like respite care . Regular breaks from caring even if they are small are also vital to the carers mental health . You can teach all the strategies in the world but if the carer is left with the whole burden then they will have limited success. I went though this once already with my mother and now I am on round two with my father plus I am aware how likely it will be that my son will end up with dementia at an early age . Isolation in caring and not being able to move outside yoyr home very much is a huge issue and not having someone to just converse with about ordinary things . The constant demands on you do take their toll. Improve services available AND teach coping strategies
Yep, it’s good to know, but in Ireland, this really is only feasible if you’re loaded and also aren’t the full time care giver.
Chances are you’re already so busy caring for them entirely (as they’re probably physically dependant on you also) , with no support you won’t have the time or money to seek this kind of help. The HSE won’t help the people suffering dementia enough and we all know how long it takes for mental health issues to be addressed here.
Take care Catherine. I understand it’s very tiring and socially isolating. More supports needed.
Speaking as one who has experience of this I have to say I agree. Thought it was common knowledge to be honest
I think the worst part is the anger I feel. Sometimes the frustration of seeing your loved one suffer gets too much and it builds up. I have to keep reminding myself that they are not doing it on purpose and that it’s not their fault but you sometimes forget and think they are still the healthy person who looked after you as a child. If you lose your cool with them then I makes you feel horrible inside.
Yes this is a very common issue Stephen and I suppose this is where the coping strategies would help. Breaks would help to so that the build up doesn’t get to the point where we would lose our cool. Hang in there Stephen you are doing a great job and I know this because you are still there caring and haven’t walked away. Well done.
Cheers, yeah going for a walk is a good one. Luckily me and my sister split the caring, I work evenings so she’s here when I leave and vice versa. Some careers don’t have that luxury though
Don’t be hard on yourself. You are doing a special job. It’s not easy. I understand exactly how you feel it’s mentally draining.
My best friend since childhood became his mothers carer 3 years ago when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I always admiration for him because of the type of person he is. But in the last few years, seeing what he has to do the admiration has increased 10 fold. Its awesome that he does what he does.
Keep in touch with him and call to visit him as much as possible. It can be very isolating. Don’t be afraid to visit.
As a f/t carer I think that all carers should be given Medical Card. Physical health as well as mental health suffers due to restrictions of movement. I can’t leave my house and that’s affected my energy and well being.
Caring for anyone that is seriously ill will depress anyone. I hope no one was paid to come up with the gem.
Did they really need to do a study to work that out?
If you are suffering from depression, I recommend the http://destroydepression.com system.
Written by a former sufferer of depression, it teaches a simple 7-step process to eliminate depression from your life.
have your say