Depression in Caregivers of Impaired Elderly Family Members (IN: Depression and the Social Environment: Research and Intervention With Neglected Populations, edited by P Cappeliez & R J Flynn)

Literature review of depressive symptomatology on primary family caregivers shows negative aspects of caregiver burden include: need for physical relief from caregiving, health problems, deficits in caregiving knowledge, skills & problem-solving & inadequate self-help support networks. Strongest evidence of depressive symptoms are shown in studies of caregivers of demented relatives. Hamilton’s Caregiver Support Program – a multidimensional intervention program did not alleviate depression.