Text Size

Evaluating the Carter Institute Caregiver Education Program at the VA

This study has been completed.
Sponsor:
Information provided by:
Department of Veterans Affairs
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT00271375
First received: December 29, 2005
Last updated: November 30, 2009
Last verified: November 2009
History of Changes
  Purpose

This project will implement and evaluate the Rosalyn Carter Institute's (RCI's) educational and support program for caregivers, "Caring for You, Caring for Me." Specifically, it will examine effects of the program upon family caregivers to older adults in the Atlanta area and elderly veterans receiving outpatient primary care at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).


Condition Intervention
Caregivers
 Behavioral: Caring For You, Caring For Me

Study Type: Interventional
Study Design: Allocation: Non-Randomized
Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study
Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment
Masking: Single Blind (Investigator)
Official Title: Evaluating the Carter Institute Caregiver Education Program at the VA

Resource links provided by NLM:

MedlinePlus related topics: Caregivers
U.S. FDA Resources

Further study details as provided by Department of Veterans Affairs:

Primary Outcome Measures:
  • to evaluate user satisfaction with and perceived utility of the "Caring for You, Caring for Me" caregiver educational program among formal (VHA staff) and informal (family) caregivers who undergo the program [ Time Frame: 18 Months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Estimated Enrollment: 195
Study Start Date: October 2005
Study Completion Date: October 2009
Primary Completion Date: August 2009 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Arms Assigned Interventions
1
Educational Intervention
 Behavioral: Caring For You, Caring For Me
5-week Education and Support Program for Caregivers of older adults.

Detailed Description:

This project will implement and evaluate the Rosalyn Carter Institute's (RCI's) educational and support program for caregivers, "Caring for You, Caring for Me." Specifically, it will examine effects of the program upon family caregivers to older adults in the Atlanta area and elderly veterans receiving outpatient primary care at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).

Thus, this project has the potential not only to enhance the VA's complement of services for older veterans and their families, but also to demonstrate clearly the strengths of the RCI program.

Primary objectives of the research are:

  1. to evaluate user satisfaction with and perceived utility of the "Caring for You, Caring for Me" caregiver educational program among formal (VHA staff) and informal (family) caregivers who undergo the program;
  2. to assess effects of the program upon psychosocial and physical well-being of informal caregivers over a 1-year period,
  3. to estimate effects of the program upon health status and service utilization of veterans whose family caregivers undergo the caregiver intervention, and
  4. to determine whether an augmentation of the program, using structured follow-up to help caregivers apply program principles and knowledge, enhances its effects upon outcomes to caregivers and veterans.

The project has two secondary objectives, designed to build a foundation for further research by elucidating selected processes and effects of the intervention upon caregivers' and veterans' well-being. They are:

  1. To lay a foundation for widespread implementation of the program, including feasibility, cost, and health utility gains for informal caregivers, and
  2. To explore characteristics of veterans and their family caregivers that influence immediate and long-range outcomes of the intervention.
  Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:   55 Years and older
Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Family members of veterans aged 65+ years and receiving care through the Atlanta VAMC's Clinic and Atlanta area.
  • Must be the primary caregiver to someone 55 and over.
  • Must have been assisting with at least one activity of daily living (ADL) for at least 6 months prior to beginning the intervention.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Caregivers are automatically excluded if veteran has a terminal illness with six months or less to live.
  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00271375

Locations
United States, Georgia
VA Medical Center, Decatur
Decatur, Georgia, United States, 30033
Sponsors and Collaborators
Department of Veterans Affairs
Investigators
Principal Investigator: Bettye Rose Connell, PhD MS BS Atlanta VA Medical and Rehab Center, Decatur
  More Information

No publications provided

Responsible Party: Connell, Bettye - Principal Investigator, Department of Veterans Affairs
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00271375     History of Changes
Other Study ID Numbers: E4044R, IRB 2005-050240, IRB 278-2005
Study First Received: December 29, 2005
Last Updated: November 30, 2009
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by Department of Veterans Affairs:
Age
Caregivers
Family
Intervention Studies

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on May 16, 2013