According to this study:

* Special caregiver support and counseling of the spouses of patients with Alzheimer disease significantly delayed placement in a nursing home.

In a randomized, controlled trial, 406 spouse caregivers of patients with Alzheimer disease were followed for up to 17 years. Half of these caregivers received standard care, while the other half received specialized counseling and support. This included six counseling sessions for the patient's spouse caregiver and other family members, access to weekly support group meetings, and ad hoc telephone counseling.

The caregivers completed questionnaires assessing both the patient's and the caregiver's physical and emotional health at baseline, every four months during the first year, and then every six months. In the intervention group, there was a 28.3% reduction in the rate of nursing home placement, compared with the usual care group, delaying placement of the spouse in a nursing home by 557 days.

The investigators attributed 61% of the placement delay to the caregiver's increased tolerance for patient behavior and satisfaction with social support, as well as less depression.

The authors note that interventions that reduce the number of people being placed in nursing homes without overburdening family members will be essential because Alzheimer cases are expected to triple in coming decades.

HL