For more information and confidential discussion, please contact the study team at 650-849-0481.
You could be eligible for this study if:
You may not be eligible for this study if:
According to VA estimates, nearly 500,000 Veterans suffer from dementia. There is currently no cure for dementia. Ultimately, dementia will have a large impact on quality of life in Veterans and families, lead to expensive nursing home placement, and decrease life expectancy for patients and family caregivers. The experience of high burden in a caregiver for a Veteran with dementia increases the likelihood of permanent nursing home placement and can separate Veterans from their families. To address the high burden of caring for a Veteran with dementia, we aim to study the effect of a rehabilitative intervention for family caregivers of Veterans with dementia. Our novel approach will use video technology that can reach caregivers in rural areas who do not have easy access to major VA medical centers.
The purpose of this study is to study the effects of an education and skill-building intervention on family caregivers of Veterans with dementia.
Caregivers will be randomly assigned to either receive paper educational materials related to dementia and caregiving or participate in a brief series of education and skill sessions led by a dementia expert. The training program consists of four weekly sessions followed by additional booster sessions 3 and 9 months later. During these sessions, caregivers will learn about dementia and the diseases that cause it, learn ways to help cope with the stress of caring for a loved one with dementia, build communication skills, and be connected to various resources available to caregivers both within the VA and through other local and national organizations. We will follow up with caregiver participants for assessments 6-months, 12 months, and 24 months later. There is no cost to caregivers for participation. Caregivers will be reimbursed $25 for each session and assessment, with total compensation ranging from $100-$250.
VA Palo Alto Health Care System
3801 Miranda Avenue
Palo Alto CA 94304
United States
For more information and confidential discussion, please contact the study team at 650-849-0481.