Depressed AD Caregivers: Long-Term Benefits from Counseling

Caring for family members with Alzheimer disease (AD) is highly stressful and is associated with an increased incidence of depression. Although many years of care may be required, psychological support often is offered to caregivers only at the time of AD diagnosis or in an apparent crisis. These researchers sought to determine whether counseling and support could alleviate caregivers' depressive symptoms over the long term.

The researchers randomized 406 spouse-caregivers (60% women) to either usual care or an enhanced counseling program at a university AD center. The usual-care group received information about resources and advice upon request, but no formal counseling sessions. The enhanced-counseling group participated in two individual …