2017 Volume 58 Issue 1 Pages 142-152
This article describes four key points for successfully maintaining long term support groups for caregivers of people with dementia by analyzing the training program for support group leaders at the Alzheimer's Association in New York City(now known as CaringKind, the Heart of Alzheimer's Caregiving). The study consists of a bibliographical survey and a field survey of the training program. The key points of the program are: 1) conducting a pre-group screening interview; 2) sharing the rules of the group with participants (contracts); 3) sharing existing alternatives like their 24-hour helpline; and 4) providing on-going support including supervision meetings. All those things are important for successfully managing support groups. In the future, it will be necessary to analyze the details of supervision meetings to clarify the support groups' problems and consider strategies for improvement.
