Using Community Health Workers to Support Rural Care Partners of Seriously Ill Older Veterans

Launched by VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT · May 1, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking to support the caregivers of older veterans who are seriously ill, specifically those with conditions like dementia, cancer, renal disease, or lung disease. The goal is to help these caregivers—who often face a heavy workload—by providing them with extra support from a trained Community Health Worker. This worker will connect caregivers with helpful resources in their communities and within the VA healthcare system. By making caregivers’ lives easier, the hope is that both they and the veterans they care for will feel more satisfied with the care they receive.

To be eligible for this trial, caregivers must be at least 18 years old, help a veteran regularly, and live in a rural area. The veterans themselves need to be at least 50 years old, have a qualifying health condition, and require assistance with everyday tasks like walking or managing medications. Participants can expect to receive personalized support aimed at improving their caregiving experience. It's important to note that the trial is not yet recruiting participants, so you will need to wait for it to start if you are interested.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Care Partner Inclusion Criteria
• • A relative, friend, or partner (18 years of age) with whom Veteran patient has a personal relationship who assists Veteran regularly with care and/or care coordination as defined under "Veterans" below
• • Residing in a rural area based on RUCC or Rural-Urban Continuum Codes83
• • Must be enrolled in CSP Program of General Caregiver Support Services
• • Can live with or separately from the Veteran; able to communicate in English by phone
• • Veteran Inclusion Criteria
• • Receiving care at Durham, Asheville, and Richmond VA Health Systems (e.g., at least 2 outpatient visits in past year; has a primary provider) and residing in a rural area.
• • Diagnosed with congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, dementia, or end-stage renal disease.
• • Requires assistance with at least one ADL (i.e., walking, feeding, toileting, transferring, bathing, or dressing) or IADL (i.e., transport, medication, financial management, shopping, or meal preparation)
• • 50 years old or older and able to communicate in English by phone (for assessments)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Veteran Exclusion Criteria
• • Flag or social work note indicating suspected Caregiver abuse.
• • Unable to communicate in English by phone for assessments.