Pilot Study of Hospital GamePlan4Care

Launched by VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT · Oct 7, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying two different support programs designed to help family and friends who care for Veterans with dementia after they leave the hospital. When a loved one with dementia is hospitalized, it can be a very stressful time for caregivers. The trial compares the Hospital GamePlan4Care program, which offers personalized online training, a handbook, and support from a dementia care specialist, with a Caregiver Education program that provides helpful information and resources. Both programs aim to make it easier for caregivers to manage the increased care needs of their loved ones once they return home.

To be eligible for this study, caregivers must be at least 18 years old and provide care for a Veteran diagnosed with dementia who is being admitted to the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas. Caregivers should spend at least eight hours a week caring for the Veteran and must have access to a phone and the internet. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two programs and will complete some questionnaires about their experiences and well-being at the start of the study and again one and three months later. This study is currently recruiting participants, and it's a great opportunity for caregivers to receive valuable support during a challenging time.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 18 years of age or older
• • provide care for a Veteran with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease or related dementias or a Veteran with a prescription for a medication for dementia listed in CPRS who is admitted to the hospital at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
• • Veteran must be experiencing signs of dementia as verified by a score of 2 or greater on the AD-8
• • provide at least eight hours of care or supervision per week to the Veteran with dementia
• • provide care primarily due to a personal relationship, rather than a financial relationship
• • have access to a telephone
• • have access to a tablet or computer with internet access
• • report using the computer or tablet to access the internet at least three times per week
• • speak English
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • unable to complete informed consent