Translation of a Dementia Caregiver Support Program in a Health Care System—REACH VA

摘要: Background Based on the National Institute Aging/National of Nursing Research Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health (REACH) randomized controlled trial (REACH II), REACH VA (Department Veterans Affairs) was first national clinical translation a proven behavioral intervention dementia caregivers, running from September 2007 through August 2009. This article describes population and outcomes II into VA. Methods Clinical staff members 24 Medical Center Home-Based Primary Care programs in 15 states delivered to stressed caregivers patients with dementia. Like II, 6-month intervention, structured protocol individualized risk assessment, targeted education, support, skills training address caregiving areas safety, social problem behaviors, depression, health 12 individual in-home telephone sessions 5 support group sessions. Staff Memphis Center, Memphis, Tennesee, collected data burden, healthy frustrations, dementia-related time spent providing care duty. Results From baseline 6 months, reported significantly decreased impact depression daily life, number troubling behaviors. A 2-hour decrease hours per day duty approached significance. Caregivers (96%) believed that program should be provided by caregivers. Conclusions achieved similar trial, clinically significant benefits veteran progressive dementing disease. model caregiver can inform public policy assistance