Training family caregivers of patients with dementia. A structured workshop approach.

The Minnesota Family Workshop consisted of seven weekly 2-hour sessions that provided education, family support, and skills training to primary family caregivers of patients with dementia, and other accompanying family members. The interdisciplinary faculty used a general stress and coping model to design the caregiver education program. To increase family involvement, the Minnesota Family Workshop required at least one other family member accompany the primary caregiver to the sessions. In addition, a concurrent adapted activity group was offered for the patients with dementia. This 14-hour curriculum with specific weekly objectives and activities detailed in this article was successful in reducing burden among caregivers of patients with dementia.