Support program for caregivers of adults with dementia after hospital discharge
Pilot Study of Hospital GamePlan4Care for Family Caregivers of People With Dementia (CDA 21-143)
This study is testing two support programs to see if they can help caregivers of adults with dementia better manage their care needs after the patient leaves the hospital.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (Houston, Texas) |
| Trial ID | NCT06634368 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot study evaluates two support programs for caregivers of hospitalized adults with dementia: Hospital GamePlan4Care and Caregiver Education. The Hospital GamePlan4Care program is designed to help caregivers develop skills necessary for managing the increased care needs of dementia patients following hospital discharge. Caregivers will be recruited during the hospitalization of the Veterans they care for and will be randomly assigned to one of the two programs for three months post-discharge. The study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of these interventions in improving caregiver support.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are caregivers aged 18 or older who provide care for a Veteran with dementia and meet specific eligibility criteria.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have a personal relationship with the Veteran or those unable to complete informed consent may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly reduce caregiver burden and improve the quality of care for Veterans with dementia.
How similar studies have performed: While caregiver support interventions exist, this specific approach combining web-based support initiated in a hospital setting is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years of age or older * provide care for a Veteran with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease or related dementias or a Veteran with a prescription for a medication for dementia listed in CPRS who is admitted to the hospital at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center * Veteran must be experiencing signs of dementia as verified by a score of 2 or greater on the AD-8 * provide at least eight hours of care or supervision per week to the Veteran with dementia * provide care primarily due to a personal relationship, rather than a financial relationship * have access to a telephone * have access to a tablet or computer with internet access * report using the computer or tablet to access the internet at least three times per week * speak English Exclusion Criteria: * unable to complete informed consent
Where this trial is running
Houston, Texas
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX — Houston, Texas, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Molly Horstman, MD MS — Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX
- Study coordinator: Molly Horstman, MD MS
- Email: molly.horstman1@va.gov
- Phone: (713) 440-4400
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.