Measuring/ describing the stresses on caregivers(family) of elderly people with chronic depression

I'm researching the effects of day hospital placement on elderly people with functional illnesses- mainly depression. I want to assess the levels of stress on their family before and after day hospital placement (usually a six month gap).

There is lots of work done on caregivers of those with organic problems (dementias etc.), but I'm looking for something relevant to functional illnesses. I hope to compare and contrast the effects of placement on both groups.

Thanks.

• Response to stresses on caregivers by Steven Locke, MD, 12/1/96