Correlates of Alzheimer's Disease Caregivers' Support Group Attendance

Abstract

In order to help alleviate some of the burden experienced by Alzheimer's Disease (AD) caregivers in a caregiving role which may last for several years, professionals offer many services, including educational programs, skills training, and support groups. Support groups are the most common, and are many times helpful to the caregiver, yet many caregivers do not attend support groups. The present study surveyed 174 Alzheimer's disease caregivers who either (a) never had attended a support group (“Nevers”), (b) caregivers who were currently attending (“Currents”), or (c) caregivers who had stopped attending (“Formers”). The results of the study showed that Nevers felt less burdened, reported getting enough social support, and had higher functioning AD patients, and that Currents felt more burden, wanted more social support, and had lower functioning AD patients. In addition, Nevers and Formers were asked why they did not attend support groups. Many of their reasons are logistical, and might easily be remedied by a change of time or day of the meetings. Other reasons are personal or social and would be more difficult to manage. These barriers to participation as well as suggestions for alleviating these barriers are discussed.