Gerontologic research in the past 40 years has shown that caring for an older, disabled person affects the health and well-being of the caregiver. This important contribution led to a wide range of programs and services designed to buffer caregivers from the effects of stressors. Many of these programs have been quite innovative. Although empirically validated treatments have lagged behind clinical innovation, a growing number of well-conducted studies are providing a solid foundation that guides practice. Several excellent meta-analyses--with excellent summary tables--of this body of work have been published. These reviews concluded that although there are many promising approaches, their benefits for caregivers are sometimes modest, and some interventions appear to have little or no effect. Building on the findings of those meta-analyses and on their own critical reading of the literature, the authors focus on three issues: (1) What types of treatment are the most promising?; (2) What methodologic challenges may have reduced the efficacy in past trials?; and (3) What are some promising strategies for the next generation of studies that could lead to improved outcomes for family caregivers? This review concentrates on interventions for caregivers of people with dementia. Caring for people with dementia is the most challenging and most frequently studied area. Many of the issues that arise in caring for this population apply broadly to other patient groups.