iCare4Me Transitions

Description

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to examine the effect of a virtual face-to-face health coach intervention to improve self-care among caregivers of hospitalized older adults during care transitions compared to web-based resource information alone to determine the effectiveness of each intervention. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. compare the efficacy of the virtual health coaching intervention vs. web-based information alone in improving self-care in caregivers of hospitalized community-dwelling older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) who transition from hospital to home, 2. compare outcomes among Black/African American and White caregivers who receive the intervention vs. digital health information alone, and 3. explore the estimated the cost of the interventions and acute care resource use among patients of caregivers who received virtual intervention vs. digital health information alone. Participants who enroll will agree to enroll will: * be randomly assigned to either the health information group or the health coaching intervention plus health information group for six months, and * be asked to complete a baseline interview, a check-in call at one month post-hospital discharge, and two follow-up interviews at 3- and 6-months after enrollment. Researchers will compare the two groups of caregivers on the following outcomes: self-care, caregiver self-efficacy (aka confidence), coping, stress, and health status.

Conditions

Caregiver Stress

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to examine the effect of a virtual face-to-face health coach intervention to improve self-care among caregivers of hospitalized older adults during care transitions compared to web-based resource information alone to determine the effectiveness of each intervention. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. compare the efficacy of the virtual health coaching intervention vs. web-based information alone in improving self-care in caregivers of hospitalized community-dwelling older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) who transition from hospital to home, 2. compare outcomes among Black/African American and White caregivers who receive the intervention vs. digital health information alone, and 3. explore the estimated the cost of the interventions and acute care resource use among patients of caregivers who received virtual intervention vs. digital health information alone. Participants who enroll will agree to enroll will: * be randomly assigned to either the health information group or the health coaching intervention plus health information group for six months, and * be asked to complete a baseline interview, a check-in call at one month post-hospital discharge, and two follow-up interviews at 3- and 6-months after enrollment. Researchers will compare the two groups of caregivers on the following outcomes: self-care, caregiver self-efficacy (aka confidence), coping, stress, and health status.

Improving Care Transitions and Self-care Among Informal Caregivers of Hospitalized Older Adults Through Digital Tools

iCare4Me Transitions

Condition
Caregiver Stress
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104-4212

Philadelphia

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104

Philadelphia

Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Informal caregiver providing care at least 8 hours/week to the hospitalized older adult (age 65 or older)
  • * Reporting poor self-care on screening (Health Self-Care Neglect scale score greater than or equal to 2)
  • * Willing to use technology (e.g., computer, smartphone, iPad/tablet)
  • * Able to complete the protocol, e.g., adequate vision and hearing
  • * English speaking
  • * Cognitive deficits in orientation and/or recall (Six Item Screener score less than 3)
  • * Participation in another similar support or care transition trial
  • * Untreated major psychiatric illness (Use of anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medicines is acceptable)

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Pennsylvania,

Karen Hirschman, Ph.D., PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Pennsylvia

Study Record Dates

2028-05-31