The Effect of Problem Oriented Coping Strategies Training on Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Elderly with Alzheimer

Introduction: Elderly with Alzheimer requires care to continue their lives and such care is given mostly by families. Care of elderly with Alzheimer is a stressful process and it has negative consequences on physical and mental health of caregivers and reduces their quality of life. The present research aims to determine the effect of problem oriented coping strategies training on quality of life of family caregivers of elderly with Alzheimer.

Material and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial 72 caregivers were chosen by purposeful sampling and were divided randomly into control and experimental groups. Before the intervention, participants' quality of life was assessed by SF36 quality of life questionnaire. Eight sessions of educational intervention were held for the experimental group. The educational contents were included subjects such as problem solving, anger management and making an affective relationship. Two weeks after the intervention, information was recollected.

Results: Finding indicated that in intervention group, caregivers' quality of life significantly increased after the educational intervention (P=0.001). After the intervention, caregivers' quality of life in experimental group was more than control group but such difference was not statistically significant (P=0.112).

Conclusion: Problem-oriented coping strategies training can enhance most dimensions of quality of life of caregivers and such education can be effective on their lives.