[The advantages of a programme for training carers of persons with dementia: a pilot study by specialised nurses]

The care of patients with dementia usually has to be undertaken by persons with no formal training. However, the chances of treatment being effective depends on them. Specialist non hospital nurses, who are accessible and close to these patients, are in a privileged position to develop programmes to train carers. In our country no studies have been done to evaluate the efficacy of such programmes.

To evaluate the efficacy of a programme for training carers of patients with irreversible dementia. The programme was designed and carried out by specialist nurses, based on a neurology clinic outside the hospital.

Ten carers who came consecutively to the clinic were invited to participate in the programme. Before and after the programme we evaluated cognitive, functional behaviour and affective aspects of the patient and/or carer.

As far as the patient was concerned no changes were found in either cognitive or functional aspects. Although the behaviour problems were reduced, they caused less stress to the carer after the training sessions. At the same time the affectivity of the patients improved.

It is possible to carry out effective training programmes for carers of demented patients, with relatively little expense. Affectivity, both of the patient and the carer is the aspect most improved by this training. Large scale trials are necessary to show improvement of other aspects, and to compare different types of training programmes.