Telesupport: Evaluation of Professionally Led Support Groups for Caregivers

This study is a collaborative effort between a community-based service organization, Supportive Older Women\'s Network (SOWN), and an academic research division at Thomas Jefferson University (TJU). We plan to use a randomized controlled two-group design to: 1) test the effectiveness of the intervention at 6 months to enhance social support and perceived efficacy in comparison to a control group; 2) test if gains are sustained over 12 months (within experimental group comparison); and 3) evaluate the cost and cost effectiveness of the intervention. Three secondary study aims are to describe the process and content of tele-support groups (dose/intensity, support group topics); evaluate the relative benefits for African American and White females; and determine if control group subjects benefit from receiving a peer\'s telephone number for mutual support (within group comparison between 6 and 12 months).