Coping with dementia: a pilot study.

Ten supporters of demented elderly dependents were studied in order to examine their coping behavior in the context of caring for their relatives at home. Coping skills were described with respect to programs, solutions, and cognitive aspects of motivation and stress tolerance. The observations made suggested the hypothesis that tolerance of debility in a demented relative is related not only to the number and type of problems in the dependent but also to the availability and quality of coping skills in the supporter. This hypothesis was explored through the elaboration of a skills training program (Supporter Endurance Training), which was designed and employed to improve and expand the coping skills of a supporter. Supported Endurance Training may prove to be a useful approach to the maintenance of the demented elderly person at home as a possible alternative to institutionalization.