Support and home respite for hidden caregivers in Tai Po
Tai Po Hidden Carers Support and Home-Based Respite Project
This project will try tailored support and home-based respite for people caring for older adults who aren’t getting outside help to see if their wellbeing and social connections improve.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 380 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The University of Hong Kong Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Hong Kong and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07004855 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The program screens caregivers and care recipients at baseline for physical health, mental wellbeing, social engagement, and functional ability. Caregivers are triaged into four need levels (low, mild, moderate, high) and receive corresponding services: case follow-up, phone check-ins, up to 30 hours of home respite within six months, or professional counselling. Services are delivered through the University of Hong Kong and outcomes are re-measured at the end of the service period or six months after baseline. Comparing pre- and post-intervention measures will show whether the tailored support changes caregiver mental health and social connectedness.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are community-dwelling caregivers who provide ADL/IADL assistance to at least one older adult (age 60+), are not currently using respite services, can communicate in Cantonese, English, or Mandarin, and can provide informed consent.
Not a fit: Caregivers whose care recipients do not live in the community, those already receiving respite services, or those with needs beyond the program's available supports may not receive benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, caregivers could experience improved mental wellbeing, stronger social connections, and reduced caregiving burden through needs-based support and respite.
How similar studies have performed: Prior caregiver-support and respite programs have shown modest improvements in caregiver stress and wellbeing, so this tailored triage approach builds on some positive but variable evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Provide ADL/IADL assistance to at least one older adult (aged 60+), * Not currently using any types of respite service, * Able to communicate in either Cantonese, English or Mandarin * Voluntarily participate Exclusion Criteria: * The care recipient is not living in the community
Where this trial is running
Hong Kong and 1 other locations
- University of Hong Kong — Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Not_yet_recruiting)
- University of Hong Kong — Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Vivian Weiqun Lou
- Email: wlou@hku.hk
- Phone: 85239174835
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.