MedPath

Engaging Caregivers in Dementia Care

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Dementia
Interventions
Behavioral: Dementia Care Management
Registration Number
NCT02552563
Lead Sponsor
Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center
Brief Summary

This pilot study seeks to examine the extent to which, relative to usual care, a dementia care management program for veterans and their caregivers (CGs)improves patient (e.g., behavioral symptoms, delayed nursing home placement) and caregiver (e.g., CG mastery, burden, affect) outcomes.

Detailed Description

Dementia care guidelines and pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments have been shown to reduce symptom burden and rates of institutionalization for individuals with dementia. However, there remain a variety of factors that complicate dementia care management in primary care settings. Patient-centered, integrated care management programs that involve caregiver (CG) education and psychosocial support may help facilitate access to and use of services and improve outcomes. The aims of this pilot were to examine 1) whether, relative to usual care (UC), a dementia care management program is associated with improved CG (e.g., mastery, burden, affect) and patient (e.g., behavioral symptoms) outcomes, 2) if, relative to UC, participants enrolled in the program have greater perceived access to and use of medical, social, and community/VA services, and 3) whether the dementia care management program is feasible and acceptable to participants.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
75
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patient and caregiver 18 years of age or older
  • Patient is community dwelling
  • Patient has a confirmed dementia diagnosis and/or significant cognitive impairment (per provider or CG report) that is verified upon the RA's cognitive screening assessment (per veteran (BOMC, score of 16 or above) or informant (AD8, score of 2 or above) and/or chart review
  • CG lives with and/or provides care for the patient for an average of at least 4 hours per day.
  • Veteran provides assent to contact his/her representative to pursue study participation
  • Veteran representative as caregiver is willing and able to provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
  • Cognitive, hearing, visual, or other physical impairments leading to difficulty with assent/ informed consent process and/or assessment (veteran or caregiver)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Dementia Care ManagementDementia Care ManagementCG education, continuous support, communication and coping skills training, and veteran monitoring, via CG report, of medication, symptoms, and service needs.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist (RMBPC)Change in frequency and distress from baseline to 3 and 6 month follow-up

Frequency of care recipient dementia-related behaviors and associated caregiver distress

Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q)Change in frequency and distress from baseline to 3 and 6 month follow-up

Frequency of care recipient neuropsychiatric symptoms and associated caregiver distress

Zarit Burden InterviewChange in burden from baseline to 3 and 6 month follow-up

Perceived caregiver burden

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pearlin Stress and Coping ScaleChange in coping skills from baseline to 3 and 6 month follow-up

Caregiver coping strategies

Lawton Caregiving and Stress Process ScalesChange in caregiver mastery from baseine to 3 and 6 month follow-up

Caregiver mastery

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Philadelphia VA Medical Center

🇺🇸

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

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