Assistance for Relatives of Dementia Patients
Research Project at Freie Universität Berlin Extended Due to Positive Response
№ 49/2010 from Mar 03, 2010
The German Federal Ministry of Health has extended its support of the Tele.TAnDem research project to investigate possibilities for providing relief for family members of individuals with dementia. Due to the positive response, the research study begun in 2008 at Freie Universität Berlin and Friedrich Schiller University of Jena has been extended through August 31, 2010. Beginning now, new participants from the Berlin/Brandenburg region as well as Thuringia can be included in the study.
People caring for family members with dementia are under great stress. Because of the expected increase of dementia diseases in Germany, the Federal Ministry of Health has great interest in improving the health care of these patients as well as providing increased support for family members who are caregivers. The Tele.TAnDem research study is investigating whether telephone counseling can improve the lives of family caregivers. When this study was begun in 2008, it was the first time in Germany that caregiving family members were given on-going telephone consultation on individual issues and problems which may arise in connection with home care.
The phone calls serve to convey information about Alzheimer’s disease and thus improve nursing care skills. They help to relieve caregivers, who can improve their skills in dealing with behavioral problems of dementia patients.
Further Information
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Mette Hallensleben, Dipl.-Psych.
Department of Education and Psychology
Freie Universität Berlin
Tel.: +49 (0)30 / 838-56304
Email: m.hallensleben@fu-berlin.de - Denise Schinköthe, Dipl.-Psych.
Institute of Psychology
Friedrich Schiller University of Jena
Tel.: +49 (0)3641 / 945 955
Email: denise.schinkoethe@uni-jena.de