A quasi-experimental study of the effectiveness of the Reitman Centre CARERS group intervention on family caregivers of persons with dementia

Objectives: This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the Reitman Centre CARERS program on key outcomes in family caregivers (CGs) of people with dementia (PWD). The Reitman Centre CARERS program is an innovative, group psychotherapeutic skills-training intervention based on integrated problem solving techniques (PST), simulation learning and group psychotherapy designed to address each CGs’ unique situation.

Method: Family CGs of PWD (n = 264) that were referred to Reitman Center and the partner sites were evaluated before and after completion of the 8-week CARERS program in comparison with a wait-list control group (n = 83) who received regular care in a quasi-experimental, non-randomized, multiple group, multisite trial. General linear model was used to compare the results after adjusting for baseline measures and changes in the care recipients’ daily activities (Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living).

Results: The results indicated the effectiveness and superiority of the CARERS program over usual care on measures of CG’s perceived stress, depression, burden, competence, role overload, emotion and avoidance-focused coping.

Conclusion: The CARERS program as a multi-component intervention is an effective intervention that significantly improves functioning, coping skills and well-being of dementia CGs.