Helping formerly homeless older adults plan future medical care in permanent supportive housing

Empowering Formerly Homeless Older Adults to Engage in Advance Care Planning in Permanent Supportive Housing (ACP-PSH): An RCT

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11303385

This project compares group sessions versus one-on-one help using an easy online program to help formerly homeless older adults in supportive housing make medical plans for their future care.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11303385 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would help adapt an easy online advance care planning program called PREPARE so it fits the needs of people living in permanent supportive housing (PSH). The research team will co-develop PREPARE-PSH with residents, staff, and a community advisory board, using videos and easy-to-read advance directives. Residents at participating PSH sites will be randomly assigned to either facilitated group visits or one-on-one facilitation to use the program. The study will follow participants to see whether they complete advance directives, name a medical decision maker, or document their care wishes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants are formerly homeless older adults living in permanent supportive housing, particularly those aged about 50 and older who can use simple written or video materials.

Not a fit: People who do not live in permanent supportive housing, those outside the target age group, or individuals with severe cognitive impairment who cannot participate in the program may not receive benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could help more formerly homeless older adults make clear medical plans so their wishes are honored and end-of-life care aligns with their preferences.

How similar studies have performed: The original PREPARE program has shown benefits in other populations, but adapting it for formerly homeless PSH residents and directly comparing group versus one-on-one facilitation is a novel test.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.