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 elderly veterans receiving outpatient primary care at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC

Condition	Intervention
Caregivers	Behavior: Caregiver education program

Further study details as provided by Department of Veterans Affairs:

Primary Outcomes: 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.; 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
Secondary Outcomes: 1. To lay a foundation for widespread implementation of the program, including feasibility, cost, and health utility gains for informal caregivers; 2. To explore characteristics of veterans and their family caregivers that influence immediate and long-range outcomes of the intervention.
Expected Total Enrollment:  195

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 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.

Ages Eligible for Study:  65 Years and above,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Family members of veterans Aged 65+ years and receiving care through the Atlanta VAMC’s Bronze (geriatric primary care) Clinic. Must be the primary Family Caregiver to the veteran 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. -

Please refer to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov identifier  NCT00271375

Barbara Lewison      404-321-6111  Ext. 7155    Barara.Lewison@va.gov
Laura S Britan, MPH      404-321=6111  Ext. 6477    Laura.Britan@va.gov

Georgia
      Atlanta VA Medical center, Decatur,  Georgia,  30033,  United States

Study chairs or principal investigators

Patricia Parmelee, PhD,  Principal Investigator,  Atlanta VA Medical Center   

Study ID Numbers:  E4044R; IRB 2005-050240; IRB 278-2005
Last Updated:  December 29, 2005
Record first received:  December 29, 2005
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00271375
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2006-01-10