Authors' objectives: This issue of Effectiveness Matters summarises the evidence about ways of providing information, support and services to meet the needs of carers for people with dementia. The bulletin is based mainly on existing sources of synthesised and quality-assessed evidence, and aims to complement recent scoping work undertaken by the Yorkshire and Humber AHSN Improvement Academy.

Authors' recommendations: Carers are the mainstay of dementia care in the UK and the Alzheimer's Society estimate that at least 670,000 people are acting as a primary carer. As dementia is on the increase, carers will be essential in helping health and social services meet the demand for care. Carers are known to experience high rates of depression and anxiety. Their need for practical and emotional support to relieve the stress of caring is equally high. Psychosocial therapy can improve carers' health and well-being; combining two or more psychosocial interventions is likely to be more effective than a single intervention. Developing carers' coping skills can improve their psychological health and well-being. Carers indicate they need staged access to clear and understandable information about dementia generally and on the availability of advice and support services.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2014

URL for published report: http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/pdf/effectiveness-matters-May-2014-web.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England

Organisation Name: University of York

Contact Address: University of York, York, Y01 5DD, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 1904 321040, Fax: +44 1904 321041,

Contact Name: crd@york.ac.uk

Contact Email: crd@york.ac.uk

Copyright: University of York