The purpose of this study is to study the effects of an education and skill-building intervention on family caregivers of Veterans with dementia.
According to VA estimates, nearly 500,000 Veterans suffer from dementia. There is currently no cure for dementia. Ultimately, dementia will have a large impact on quality of life in Veterans and families, lead to expensive nursing home placement, and decrease life expectancy for patients and family caregivers. The experience of high burden in a caregiver for a Veteran with dementia increases the likelihood of permanent nursing home placement and can separate Veterans from their families. To address the high burden of caring for a Veteran with dementia, the investigators aim to study the effect of a rehabilitative intervention for family caregivers of Veterans with dementia. This novel approach will use video technology that can reach caregivers in rural areas who do not have easy access to major VA medical centers.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
32
ESBR intervention consists of four, 90-minute sessions over a 4-6 week period. These four sessions are supplemented with booster sessions at 3 and 9 months post-intervention. Each group session (10 or fewer participants) is attended either in-clinic or via video telehealth technology within the VAPAHCS.
Participants randomized to the Usual Care (UC) group will receive supplemental educational materials related to aging and dementia.
VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, California, United States
Zarit Burden Inventory
The Zarit Burden Inventory is a self-report measure of caregiver burden. Higher scores on this assessment indicate greater levels of caregiver burden. Potential scores range from 0-88 with higher scores indicating more severe burden.
Time frame: change from baseline at 6-months post intervention
Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression
change in caregiver depressive symptoms as measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D). Scores on the CES-D can range from 0-60 with higher scores suggesting greater depressive symptomatology.
Time frame: change from baseline at 6-months
Long-term Care Placement Status (Care Recipient)
Based on caregiver interview, permanent placement of the care recipient in LTC will be ascertained
Time frame: 6-months post intervention
Change in All-cause Mortality Status (Care Recipient)
Based on caregiver interview, care recipient mortality status will be ascertained
Time frame: 6-months post intervention
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