One call makes a difference: An evaluation of the Alzheimer’s Association National Helpline on dementia caregiver outcomes

Abstract

ObjectiveThe study evaluated the effects of care consultation delivered through the Alzheimer’s Association National Helpline - a free resource in which master’s-level clinicians offer confidential support. The study compared the effectiveness of Helpline “Care Consultation” and “Care Consultation Plus” conditions on caller outcomes. MethodsFour hundred and forty-five non-crisis callers were randomly assigned to the traditional Helpline “Care Consultation” or a “Care Consultation Plus” condition that included one additional booster call. ResultsWhile no differences were found between the two conditions, the study found that callers reported significantly improved caregiver mental health scores (27 % net improvement over baseline) and ability to manage emotions (29 % net improvement) at one week (p = .006). By one week, 70 % of callers had put action steps in place and by 1 month 80 % of callers had put action steps into place. Over 80 % of callers reported action steps were “helpful”. ConclusionA single call provided a measurable benefit to caregivers’mental health, ability to manage emotions and ability to engage in action planning and accessing resources. Practice ImplicationsThis pilot study demonstrated that the support provided via the Helpline can be effective at improving caregiver mental health and improving the ability of callers to “take action”.