Project HOPEFUL: 8-week warm-calling program for homebound older adults
Project HOPEFUL (Helping Older PErsons Find Useful Links): Replicating a Partially Nested Randomized Control Trial With Implementation Science
This project tests whether 8 weeks of friendly 20–30 minute phone calls from trained helpers can reduce loneliness, suicidal thoughts, and improve social connection and quality of life for homebound older adults who receive aging services.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 400 (estimated) |
| Ages | 55 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Florida Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Gainesville, Florida) |
| Trial ID | NCT07475039 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This partially nested randomized trial assigns homebound older adults receiving Home and Community-Based Services to one of two 8-week warm-calling interventions or to a no-contact control with the option to receive the program after eight weeks. Callers deliver manualized, empathic 'Belongingness and Empathy' (BE) content alone or BE plus a standardized suicide intervention training (ASIST), with calls delivered in 20–30 minute doses. Outcomes include measures of mental health, social functioning, quality of life, and coded provider behaviors from audio recordings, and implementation outcomes such as acceptability, feasibility, and sustainability are measured across multiple levels. Participants are followed with repeated measurements, including longer-term follow-ups to examine sustained effects and connecting behaviors.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults age 65 or older who are homebound and receiving Home and Community-Based Services through partnered Aging Services Network organizations and who can provide verbal informed consent and comply with study procedures.
Not a fit: People who are under 65, not receiving services from a partnered aging agency, unable to consent or engage in phone calls, or those needing immediate psychiatric crisis care are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could reduce loneliness and suicidal ideation while improving social support and quality of life for homebound older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Related 'caring contacts' and befriending interventions have shown promise for reducing loneliness and suicidal thoughts in older adults, but randomized replications within real-world aging service networks remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
In order to be eligible as a participant in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Provision of verbal informed consent 2. Classify as an Older Adult (65+) 3. Stated willingness and ability to comply with all study procedures 4. Receive home and community-based services (HCBS) through the Aging Services Network (i.e. HDM (home delivered meals services), CM (congregate meals), etc.) 5. Be affiliated with the triple As and aging entities we have partnered with In order to be eligible to be a trained provider in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Provision of written informed consent 2. State willingness to comply with all study procedures 3. Be a staff or volunteer within the ASN (Aging Services Network), specifically within the triple As and aging entities we have partnered with 4. Meet Wymann and colleagues (2008) criteria for being a "natural helpers"42 (i.e. be warm, empathic, and having ongoing interaction with participants through one's job role) 5. Be recommended by the aging entity leadership as meeting these qualifications In order to be eligible to be a leadership personnel in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Provision of written informed consent 2. State willingness to comply with all study procedures 3. Be a in a leadership position within the aging entity or triple A in which we partnered, and have worked with the study team in helping implement the 8 week program Exclusion criteria for Participants: 1. Had a dementia diagnosis, or another form of cognitive impairment, and/or hearing impairment that would preclude phone conversation. 2. Participation in another warm calling behavioral treatment or intervention study simultaneously occurring Exclusion criteria for trained natural helpers: 1. Does not have ongoing interactions with potential old adult participants (i.e. is a part of an optimized nutrition service provider in which they do not serve the same older adults consistently over time) 2. Participation in another warm calling behavioral treatment or intervention study simultaneously occurring Exclusion criteria for aging leaders: 1. Has not worked with the study team directly in implementing the 8-week treatment 2. Is not familiar with the implementation of the program
Where this trial is running
Gainesville, Florida
- University of Florida — Gainesville, Florida, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Laura R Shannonhouse, PhD
- Email: lshannonhouse@coe.ufl.edu
- Phone: 352-273-4332
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.