New York University Caregiver Intervention (NYUCI)

Purpose

This approach aims to reduce burden and distress in dementia caregivers and to improve quality of care for care recipients

Strategy

The strategy combines 6 sessions of individual and family counseling, support group participation, and additional on-call telephone consultations in a flexible counseling approach that is tailored to each caregiving family.

Target Population

Dementia caregivers

Research Outcomes

Studies show the intervention benefits the caregiver’s mental and physical health and delays institutional placement of the care recipient into a nursing home. Caregivers report increased support from members of their networks and increased satisfaction with that support.

Outcome Research References

Mittelman, M. S., Haley, W. E., Clay, O. J., & Roth, D. L. (2006). Improving caregiver well-being delays nursing home placement of patients with Alzheimer disease. Neurology, 67, 1592-1599.

Mittelman, M. S., Roth, D. L., Coon, D. W., & Haley, W. E. (2004). Sustained benefit of supportive intervention for depressive symptoms in Alzheimer’s caregivers. American Journal of Psychiatry, 161, 850-856.

Mittelman, M. S., Roth, D. L., Haley, W. E and Zarit, S. H. (2004). Effects of a caregiver intervention on negative caregiver appraisals of behavior problems in patients with Alzheimer’s disease: Results of a randomized trial. Journals of Gerontology, Psychological Sciences, 59B, 27–34.

Mittelman, M. S., Roth, D. L., Clay, O. J. and Haley, W. E. (2007). Preserving health of Alzheimer’s caregivers: impact of a spouse caregiver intervention. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15, 780–789.

Clinical Approach References

Mittelman, M. S., Epstein, C. and Pierzchala, A. (2003). Counseling the Alzheimer’s Caregiver: A Resource for Health Care Professionals. Chicago: AMA Press.