| Abstract: | Objective: To evaluate the effects of the Alzheimer's Association's (NSW) Making Memories program on people living at home with dementia and their caregivers. Methods: Twenty‐four couples participated in the program that included 8 weekly education sessions, individual counselling, occupational therapy, 10 weekly diversional therapy sessions and ongoing monthly support groups. Ratings of psychological distress, quality of life and service use concerning the person with dementia, and depression, psychological distress, quality of life and physical health as regards to the caregiver were completed at baseline, 9 and 24 weeks. Results: Psychological distress decreased significantly over time in persons with dementia. Caregivers were significantly less distressed in relation to behavioural disturbance after controlling for the frequency of the behaviour immediately after the program, but this rose at the 6‐month follow‐up. For caregivers there was a non‐significant trend towards better quality of life but no improvement in psychological distress or depression. Conclusions: The Making Memories program decreased psychological distress in people with dementia. It had a short‐term beneficial effect on caregiver reactions to behavioural disturbance that was not maintained at follow‐up. |
