Telephone Caregiver Support Group Project

An Administration on Aging (AoA) funded Innovation Grant Project

The Telephone Support Group (TSG) project began in 2002 as a three-year, federally funded program. Goals of the project include reaching isolated family caregivers not being served by in-person groups and evaluating the effectiveness of support groups conducted over the telephone. This website is intended to disseminate information about this project, the model used to lead the Telephone Support Groups, the benefits of this model and mode of delivery, and the outcomes of the research into the effectiveness of the dozen groups conducted under this project. Similar groups are currently offered to caregivers through The Caregiver Connection program of Senior Services of Albany. "This project was supported by a grant, number 90-CG-2549, from the Administration on Aging, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration on Aging policy."

Partners & Key Staff (2002-2005)

Project Partners: Senior Services of Albany and The University at Albany, Institute of Gerontology

• Ann G. DiSarro
  Executive Director, Senior Services of Albany

• Dr. Ronald Toseland
  Director, University at Albany Institute of Gerontology

• Cynthia Kather
  Director of Community Care Services, Senior Services of Albany

• Victoria Rizzo
  Project Director, University at Albany Institute of Gerontology

• Tamara Smith
  Project Director, University at Albany Institute of Gerontology
  

• Tianna Pettinger
  Telephone Support Group Leader, Senior Services of Albany
  518-465-6465, tpettinger@seniorservicesofalbany.com

Key Aspects of a TSG Model

• Separate groups for family caregivers caring for their frail spouse versus family caregivers caring for their elderly parent
• 8 member maximum group size
• Each group meets weekly for 12 weeks
• Each meeting has a specific agenda and is led by a social worker Group discussions focus on coping skills and taking care of oneself
• Six-step Problem Solving process is used to address problems raised by group members
• Members have contact information for one or more group members to talk between groups (Telephone Buddies)
• All members use a Participant Workbook during and between meetings; workbooks contain agendas, room for notes and homework worksheets

Barriers Eliminated or Reduced by Telephone Support Groups

Barriers exist to the participation of family caregivers in support groups. When support groups are offered over the telephone, many caregivers are able to participate who are otherwise unable to attend groups offered in-person. Offering groups over the telephone (via conference call) eliminates or reduces many of the barriers to traditional support group participation.

• Barriers Eliminated
• Distance
• Transportation
• Inability to leave loved one alone at home

• Barriers Reduced
• Physical limitations of the caregiver
• Discomfort in group setting
• Schedule/Time of group

Outcomes

Preliminary results indicate that participants (versus non-participants) of these Telephone Support Groups experience more positive change in:

• Coping skills
• Problem solving skills
• Feelings
• Actions
• Knowledge of care recipient's illness
• Overall competence

Participants also reported more:

• Reduction in personal strain
• PEffectiveness in dealing with pressing problems
• Knowledge of community services and how to access them
• Use of community services