Descriptions of the first 150 caregivers who sought services from the CU Aging Center show that the majority of caregiver clients were middle-class, European American female relatives of the care recipient. Over half of the caregivers were the adult child(ren) of the care recipient and nearly a quarter were spouses. The majority of care recipients either lived alone or with their caregiver. Caregivers primarily sought services because they were concerned or worried, stressed, and/or because they thought their care recipient had cognitive impairment. The majority of caregivers reported very frequent memory problems and executive function difficulties (e.g., planning, decision-making, follow-through on plans). This study also aimed to understand how the caregiver clients understood and explained their care recipients' behaviors. Despite the high prevalence of symptoms of cognitive impairment and resulting disabilities, the caregivers were not clear about the cause of the impairments. The most common perceived cause was depression or anxiety. Highly common perceived alternative causes were dementia or Alzheimer's disease, normal aging, and medical illness. Medication and personality problems were also commonly endorsed as likely causes. Clinicians' attributions for the main presenting problem were quite different: Over half of the cases were rated as demonstrating cognitive impairment and nearly a quarter as other mental health problems. 

A newly developed scale was mailed to all caregivers who previously received services from the CU Aging Center's Family Aging and Caregiver Services program. This research aims to gain information about the areas in which the Caregiver program was the most effective in helping others and those in which the program was not effective. In addition, this research will provide insight into the frequency of topics that the program helped caregivers address.

The present study explores the variations in family counseling service utilization trajectories by caregivers (CGs) who accessed an Family Aging and Caregiver counseling service in a community agency. We describe characteristics of families who used distinct trajectories in services in order to understand how best to deliver services to families in unique situations. Families were offered six free sessions of services covered under the Older Americans Act Title IIIE funds within the calendar year, including consultations, counseling, brief cognitive screening, and psychoeducational interventions. The focus of the sessions (i.e., self-care, depression, burden, placement options, respite care, grief, cognitive impairment, role transitions) varied significantly across clients. Twenty-three charts were reviewed to cull data regarding demographics of caregivers and their care recipients (CRs), as well as how CGs made use of therapy, what recommendations were made by clinicians, and what goals CGs accomplished. CGs, and CRs to a lesser extent, were diverse on all measures, and cases varied from straightforward to quite complex. The length of time in treatment ranged from eight weeks to over a year to complete six sessions. Distinct trajectories were identified that varied according to types of recommendations made by clinicians, number of referrals and outside consultations required, and clients' accomplishments of goals. Intervention trajectories varied according to clients' levels of functioning and insight throughout treatment. The ways in which CGs used the Caregiver program were as varied as the strengths and difficulties they brought to therapy.

No services are available to help caregivers of persons with cognitive disabilities (CD) cope with age-related changes that reduce functioning. Recent medical advances have increased life expectancy for persons with CD to their 60s and 70s. Subsequently, this cohort is unprepared for late-life care and unaware of the transition(s) in care that will likely occur. Research suggests that families are not planning or preparing well for these transitions. Indeed, less than 1/3 of families have a legal succession plan in place and fewer have made the kinds of personal plans that ensure continuity of care, relationships, and life supports (Heller & Factor, 1991). The present intervention is designed to provide counseling, consultation, education, cognitive screens, and referral services with the final goal of making and distributing a letter of intent. All persons with a CD and their families or staff members are welcome participants. Additional goals include parental communication with all involved parties about one's wishes for their adult son or daughter with a CD. This process will be completed by focusing on the carer's wishes for their adult child and how those wishes can best be served after a transition in care has occurred. Overall, this intervention is designed to assist parents and care staff in creating a personal legacy for their loved one with a CD.