Effect of the Family Resilience Reinforcement Program for family caregivers of the elderly with dementia

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Family Resilience Reinforcement Program (FRRP) for family caregivers of the elderly with dementia on the family resilience, caregiver burden, family adaptation, perceived health status and depression. Methods: FRRP was implemented for 60 minutes each time, once a week, for 8 weeks. According to 3 factors of Walsh's Family resilience theory, FRRP was organized and specified as redefining 'belief system' in 1 to 2 sessions, figuring out one's own 'organizational pattern' in 3 to 5 sessions, enhancing 'communication process' in 6 to 8 sessions. A total of 46 family caregivers were assigned into either the experimental group with FRRP or the control group. Data were collected from February 18 to April 12, 2013 at the dementia support centers, and the data of 36 participants were finally analyzed. Results: The experimental group reported statistically significant differences in family resilience (p=.002), caregiver burden (p=.012), family adaptation (p <.001), and perceived health status (p=.002) compared to those in the control group. No significant difference was found between the two groups in depression. Conclusion: In the light of these results, FRRP is considered to decrease caregiver burden and to influence family resilience, family adaptation and perceived health status positively. The developed FRRP is considered to be an efficient nursing intervention for strengthening family resilience of the given population. It warrants future research expanding the range of target population to those caregivers of the patients with other chronic conditions.