Improving caregiving competence, stress coping, and mental well-being in informal dementia carers

Table 1 Reitman Centre “Coaching, Advocacy, Respite, Education, Relationship, and Simulation” Program session outline

Session	Objective	Description
1	Building group cohesion and trust Education about dementia	Participants are introduced to the group process and encouraged to connect directly with the facilitators and other group members. They are also introduced to the SP, who will be more actively involved in the therapeutic process beginning in Session 5. In response to their specific questions, participants gain a better understanding of dementia: overview, symptoms and effects on the care-recipients, the carers, and the family.
2-4	Introduction and elucidation of Problem-solving techniques Objective analysis of individual caregiving problems, and identifying solutions	The key goal of these sessions is to teach the PST method and help carers adopt a problem focused approach rather than less-effective, emotion-focused coping. Facilitator weaves the understanding of emotions described by the carers into the discussions of the PST process to help carers recognize how their emotions may interfere with identifying problems and solving them objectively. Carers are encouraged to implement the solutions at home and report the outcomes of implementation.
5-9	Skills training Simulations	Through role playing with a SP, carers can practice approaching caregiving challenges differently, focusing in points of interactional conflict and communication.
10	Skills training, simulation Summing up and termination	Review and recognition of gains made, and acknowledgement of the transition into a new and different phase of supportive care. First maintenance group is scheduled during this session.

PST: Problem solving therapy; SP: Simulated patient.