An intervention study with husband and wife carers of older people with a psychiatric illness

Abstract

Background: Individual packages of care were devised for spouses of older people with psychiatric illness.

Method: Randomised controlled trial with blind follow up. Intervention group members were offered multidisciplinary packages while controls received no extra help. Both groups were reassessed 12-14 weeks later. The initial control group then received intervention; both were reassessed at 24-28 weeks.

Results: Although no significant differences emerged in group mean scores for affective illness or social difficulties, carers who were mentally ill at outset improved significantly.

Conclusion: Interventions targeted at caregiving spouses with affective disorder are acceptable and efficacious.

Limitation: It was impossible to compare treatment with no treatment.