Effectiveness of a counseling intervention to assist family caregivers of chronically ill relatives.

1. Caregivers need information about community services, as well as ways to improve their ability to manage their relative's care. 2. Nurses can help ease a caregiver through the emotionally painful process of placing a relative in a nursing home by clarifying concerns and offering support and guidance. 3. Individual counseling is an effective intervention to assist family caregivers because the nurse can focus on the diverse needs and specific goals of each caregiver.