[Working with family caregivers in the psychogeriatric day hospital "Klinikum am Europakanal"--information, socio-emotional support and care arrangements with community-based services for elderly persons].

Providing support for caregivers plays an important role in the day hospital treatment concept. Protocols (during 15 months) of support groups for caregivers of patients with dementia and depression are identifying main causes of caregivers' burden and distress, as well as their expectations regarding day hospital treatment. Aims of the interventions were to support caregivers' positive self-concept and social competence, to inform and to train problem-solving strategies and to develop individual care arrangements. Close cooperation between the day hospital and the community based services is essential for overall positive treatment outcomes, for integrated care arrangements after discharge and to ease the burden of family caregivers.