A one-day retreat focusing on spiritual renewal for caregivers was offered in conjunction with a concurrent dementia day care program. Postretreat questionnaire responses indicated positive attitudes overall toward the spiritual retreat, but many caregivers expressed a desire for greater informational content and more time for interaction with other caregivers. All were satisfied with the level of care patients received in the day program. Although there was no significant change in mean level of depression in caregivers following the retreat, the concurrent respite-retreat experience appeared to motivate several caregivers to try a group support service for thefirst time.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
1. Barnes R, Raskind M, Scott M, Murphy C: Problems of families caring for Alzheimer patients: Use of a support group. J Am Geriatr Soc, 1981;29:80-85
2.
2. George LK, Gwyther LP: Caregiver wellbeing: A multidimensional examination of family caregivers of demented adults. The Gerontologist, 1986;26:253-259
3.
3. Pruchno RA, Potashnik SL: Caregiving spouses: Physical and mental health in perspective. J Am Geriatr Soc, 1989;37:697-705
4.
4. Rabins P, Mace N, Lucas MJ: The impact of dementia on the family. JAMA, 1982;248:333-335
5.
5. Lawton MP, Brody E, Saperstein A: A controlled study of respite service for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. The Gerontologist, 1989;29:8-16
6.
6. Burdz MP, Eaton WO, Bond JB: Effect of respite care on dementia and nondementia patients and their caregivers. Psychol and Aging, 1988;3:38-42
7.
7. Mohide EA, Pringle DM, Streiner DL, Gilbert JR, Muir G, Tew M: A randomized trial of family caregiver support in the home management of dementia. J Am Geriatr Soc, 1990;38:446-454
8.
8. Radloff LS: The CES-D scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychol Measurement, 1977;1:385-401
9.
9. Blazer D, Palmore E: Religion and aging in a longitudinal panel. The Gerontologist, 1976;16:82-85
10.
10. Hurnsberger B: Religion, age, life satisfaction, and perceived sources of religiousness: A study of older persons. J Gerontol, 1985;40:615-620
11.
11. Koenig HG, Kvale JN, Ferrel C: Religion and well-being in later life. The Gerontologist, 1988;28:18-28
12.
12. Farran CJ, Keane-Hagerty E, Salloway S, Kupferer S, Wilken CS: Finding meaning: An alternative paradigm for Alzheimer's disease caregivers. The Gerontologist, 1991;31:483-489
13.
13. Rabins PV, Fitting MD, Eastham J, Zabora J: Emotional adaptation over time in caregivers forchronically ill elderly people. Age & Ageing, 1990;19:185-190
14.
14. Koenig HG, George LK, Siegler IC: The use of religion and other emotion-regulating coping strategies among older adults. The Gerontologist, 1988;28:303-310
15.
15. Ryan E, Black RS, Nolan KA, Trahar M, Blass JP: Dementia day care: Respite or therapy?Symposium Abstracts of the American Institute of Life Threatening Illness and Loss, 1991; 19-19
