Authors:
Audrey Duceppe
;
Caroline Camateros
and
Jean Vézina
Affiliation:
Laval University, Canada
Keyword(s):
Family Caregiver, Dementia, Neurocognitive Disorder, Internet, Technology, Web, Literature Review.
Abstract:
Taking care of a loved one can be a new, yet challenging role for caregivers. However, these caregivers are usually overbooked and do not have the time needed to reach for help. Internet interventions are a great way to offer psychoeducation, support and tools for caregivers, in the comfort of their home. This literature review explores the impact of internet intervention programs. Twenty-two studies were found in PsychNet, Medline and Google scholar using "family caregiver, dementia, neurocognitive disorder, internet, technology, web" as keywords. A review of these studies showed that internet intervention for caregivers have an impact on the caregiver’s psychological health (e.g. feeling of burden, stress, depression, anxiety, etc.), on their relation to the care receiver (reaction to disruptive behaviors, self efficacy, positive aspects of caregiving, better understanding of the illness, etc.) and even of the care receiver himself (disruptive behaviors occurrence and severity). Ho
wever, internet intervention programs for caregivers show a great versatility in their effectivity results, but they still appear to be a good way to provide psychoeducation on neurocognitive disorder, to reduce negative emotion associated with caregiving and improve the caregiving relationship itself.
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