Sustaining at-Home Heart Failure Care for Older Adults in Rural Appalachia
Official title: Sustaining Home Palliative Care for Patients with Heart Failure (HF) and Their Family Caregivers in Rural Appalachia: A Mixed Methods Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT)
Funded at West Virginia University · NIH-11367982 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A team at West Virginia University is testing a nurse-led program to support older adults with heart failure and their families at home in rural Appalachia to reduce hospital visits and improve comfort.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | West Virginia University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Morgantown, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $701,532 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NR021630-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11367982 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults (65+) with heart failure and their family caregivers living in rural Appalachia who have limited access to specialty palliative care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not receive the bundled intervention or who have conditions requiring more intensive, facility-based care may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests a combined home-care approach for seniors with heart failure living in rural Appalachia, using nurse-led support, home-care resources, and faith-based community connections. The study uses a randomized design to compare the new bundled care against standard care, with components designed to improve access to services, caregiver support, and safe, comfortable end-of-life care. Participants include patients age 65 and older and their family caregivers, guided by Appalachian cultural strengths and social support theory. The goal is to make home management of heart failure more feasible and less burdensome for families in a region with limited health resources.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients and families could experience better symptom control, fewer hospitalizations, and greater peace of mind at home.
How similar studies have gone: Previous components showed promise, and the mixed-methods RCT will test combined approaches in a real-world rural setting.
Where this research is happening
-
West Virginia University
Morgantown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Piamjariyakul, Ubolrat — West Virginia University
- Study coordinator: Piamjariyakul, Ubolrat
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Supporting Home Palliative Care for Heart Failure Patients and Their Families in Rural Appalachia
This project is testing a new way to provide comforting care at home for older adults with heart failure and their family caregivers in rural Appalachian communities.
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Helping caregivers of adults at home with heart failure and cognitive impairment manage stress and self-care
This grant tests a virtual coaching program designed to support caregivers of adults with heart failure and cognitive impairment to improve their own well-being and caregiving skills.
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Support-T: a mobile tool to help people with progressive pulmonary fibrosis and their caregivers get palliative care and planning
A mobile app called SUPPORT-T helps people with progressive pulmonary fibrosis and their caregivers access palliative care and plan for the future.
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Promoting palliative care for people with heart failure
A pilot effort to help people with heart failure receive timely, goal-aligned palliative care through a clinical decision tool and targeted workflows.
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Strategies that make specialist palliative care more available for people with advanced heart failure
A plan to find which ways cardiology and palliative care teams can work together to reach more people with advanced heart failure and improve end-of-life care.
-
Finding meaning and support for people caring for loved ones with advanced cancer
This project offers a psychotherapy program to help people who care for loved ones with advanced cancer reduce existential distress and feel more supported.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.