E-mental health interventies voor mantelzorgers van ouderen: een overzicht

E-mental health interventions for family caregivers of older adults: a reviewPurpose: To present a systematic overview of the different e-mental health interventions for caregivers of older adults. Methods: Systematic literature research of implemented and evaluated e-mental interventions for caregivers of older adults. Results: Thirteen e-mental health interventions are included: six telephone, one camera and six internet interventions. In general, research on user friendliness and client satisfaction shows positive results. The effectiveness of three e-mental health interventions have been studied. The family-based structural in-home intervention with the computer telephone integrated system shows a decrease in depressive symptoms after six and eighteen month. The telephone linked computer system did not show positive mental health effects for the total group of family caregivers. After online lessons, caregivers were more capable to organize respite care and to manage disruptive and challenging behaviours of the care recipient. Their ability to solve their own problems increased and their subjective burden decreased. A cost analysis of an internet intervention shows a reduction in costs in comparison to regular care.

Tijdschr Gerontol Geriatr 2007; 38: 274-287