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Research on Aging, Vol. 24, No. 2, 171-192 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/0164027502242001

Peer Support for Alzheimer’s Caregivers

Is it Enough to Make a Difference?

Karl Pillemer

Cornell University

J. Jill Suitor

Louisiana State University

This study tested a social support enhancement intervention for caregivers to relatives with Alzheimer’s disease. Theory and empirical research on life-course transitions and social support suggest that support from an experientially similar peer (i.e., a person who has undergone the same stressful transition) will lead to positive outcomes among caregivers. The intervention differed from previous programs for caregivers by isolating social support enhancement as the intervention mechanism, without simultaneously providing education, counseling, or direct services. Using a randomized, control-group design, no main effects were found. At the level of interactions, a modest buffering effect was found for persons in more stressful caregiving situations. However, the overall pattern of the results suggests that social support alone is not a sufficient intervention to improve the experience of caregivers. Implications for future research and planning of interventions are discussed.


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