Attention control in a trial of an online psychoeducational intervention for caregivers.

In reports of randomized controlled trials, thorough description of the attention control condition has been recommended, yet is frequently lacking. The Tele-Savvy Caregiver program for informal caregivers of persons living with dementia was tested in a randomized controlled trial with an attention control condition. The purpose of this trial was to test Tele-Savvy's efficacy in reducing the negative effects of caregiving on caregivers, promoting quality of life for persons living with dementia, and improving caregiver mastery.

Characteristics associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms in persons living with dementia and caregiver distress and diminished well-being.

Background: The population of persons living with dementia (PLWDs) is increasing, although mainstream dementia care quality is suboptimal.

Purpose: To identify characteristics associated with: (1) PLWDs' neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life; and (2) distress from neuropsychiatric symptoms and well-being among their family caregivers (N = 49).

Methodology: Cross-sectional single-group examination of PLWD and caregivers when they enrolled into a nurse-led dementia-centered primary care clinic.

Results of a Randomized Trial Testing the Efficacy of Tele-Savvy, an Online Synchronous/Asynchronous Psychoeducation Program for Family Caregivers of Persons Living with Dementia.

Background And Objectives: Family caregivers will grow in number as dementia prevalence increases, underscoring the continued importance of equipping these individuals for their new roles and ameliorating the adverse effects of caregiving.

Research Design And Methods: A three-armed, waitlist, randomized trial design tested Tele-Savvy, an online adaptation of a successful in-person psychoeducation program, the Savvy Caregiver. Tele-Savvy is delivered over 43 days to groups of 6-8 caregivers in 7 weekly synchronous sessions accompanied by 36 brief asynchronous video lessons.

Caregivers' Experience at an Integrated Memory Care Clinic.

The Integrated Memory Care Clinic is a patient-centered medical home led by advanced practice RNs (APRNs) who provide dementia care and primary care simultaneously and continuously. We explored the experiences of 12 informal caregivers of persons living with dementia during their first year at the Clinic. Data were analyzed via directed content analysis.

Patient and caregiver outcomes at the integrated memory care clinic.

The purpose of this longitudinal cohort study was to explore the outcomes of persons living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregivers during their first 9 months at the Integrated Memory Care Clinic (IMCC). IMCC advanced practice registered nurses provide dementia care and primary care simultaneously and continuously to PLWD until institutionalization. Changes were examined in caregivers' psychological well-being (perceived stress, depressive symptoms, caregiver burden, and anxiety) and health status and in PLWDs' quality of life and neuropsychiatric symptoms.

The TechSAge Minimum Battery: A multidimensional and holistic assessment of individuals aging with long-term disabilities.

Background: People with disabilities acquired in early to mid-life are living longer, contributing to growing numbers of older adults who are aging with disability, an understudied population likely to be underserved.

Objectives: This paper demonstrates the usefulness of the TechSAge Minimum Battery as a holistic assessment of health for people aging with disabilities.

Methods: Survey data of socio-demographic and health characteristics were collected from 176 older adults with long-term vision, hearing, and/or mobility disabilities.

GRECC Connect: Geriatrics Telehealth to Empower Health Care Providers and Improve Management of Older Veterans in Rural Communities.

A telehealth program supports meaningful partnerships between urban geriatric specialists and rural health care providers to facilitate increased access to specialty care.

Acupuncture for Treatment of Persistent Disturbed Sleep: A Randomized Clinical Trial in Veterans With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Objective: To evaluate real, as compared with sham, acupuncture in improving persistent sleep disturbance in veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Methods: This sham-controlled randomized clinical trial at a US Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (2010-2015) included 60 veterans aged 24-55 years (mean of 40 years) with history of mTBI of at least 3 months and refractory sleep disturbance. Most of these participants (66.

Tele-Savvy: An Online Program for Dementia Caregivers.

Introduction: This study examined the feasibility and efficacy of Tele-Savvy, an online version of the Savvy Caregiver Program, a psychoeducation program for caregivers caring for a person with dementia.

Methods: A convenience sample of 22 caregivers from the Atlanta VA and 42 caregivers from 14 different states enrolled in Tele-Savvy. Pre- and post-program evaluations assessed caregiver burden, caregiver competency, and frequency of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

Testing Tele-Savvy: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Many informal caregivers of persons with dementia suffer adverse health consequences. Although established psychoeducation programs are known to benefit caregivers, attending in-person programs is challenging for them. To address this challenge, the Savvy Caregiver Program, an evidence-based psychoeducation program with demonstrated effectiveness for caregiving and disease-related outcomes, was transformed into an on-line program, Tele-Savvy.

An Online Program for Caregivers of Persons Living With Dementia: Lessons Learned.

The population of individuals living with dementia and their caregivers and the need to provide caregiver training will increase in the next several decades. In-person caregiver educational programs are delimited by logistical and resource boundaries that could be overcome with online programs. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the acceptability and ways to improve the content and delivery of an online 7-week psychoeducational pilot program-Tele-Savvy.

Development and Implementation of Tele-Savvy for Dementia Caregivers: A Department of Veterans Affairs Clinical Demonstration Project.

Purpose Of The Study: To test fidelity and preliminary efficacy of Tele-Savvy, an internet-based version of the in-person, evidence-based psychoeducation Savvy Caregiver Program (SCP) for dementia caregivers. Tele-Savvy used synchronous (tele-conferences) and asynchronous components (video modules) to provide program access to caregivers in their homes.

Design And Methods: SCP experts were surveyed to evaluate Tele-Savvy's fidelity to SCP.

The effects of in-home rehabilitation on task self-efficacy in mobility-impaired adults: A randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: To examine the effect on mobility self-efficacy of a multifactorial, individualized, occupational/physical therapy (OT/PT) intervention delivered via teletechnology or in-home visits.

Design: Randomized, clinical trial.

Setting: One Department of Veterans Affairs and one private rehabilitation hospital.

Development of a teletechnology protocol for in-home rehabilitation.

Our ability to provide in-home rehabilitation is limited by distance and available personnel. We may be able to meet some rehabilitation needs with videoconferencing technology. This article describes the feasibility of teletechnology for delivering multifactorial, in-home rehabilitation interventions to community-dwelling adults recently prescribed a mobility aid.

Functional incidental training: a randomized, controlled, crossover trial in Veterans Affairs nursing homes.

Objectives: To test the effects of a rehabilitative intervention directed at continence, mobility, endurance, and strength (Functional Incidental Training (FIT)) in older patients in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing homes.

Design: Randomized, controlled, crossover trial.

Setting: Four VA nursing homes.

Pain perceptions of the oldest old: a longitudinal study.

Purpose: This study assessed self-reported pain in the oldest old and examined its changes over time and in relation to other measures of health and functioning.

Design And Methods: A population-based sample of the oldest old (86-92 years of age) residing in Sweden who were participating in a multiwave longitudinal investigation were interviewed about their experience of pain, as well as other dimensions of health and functioning.

Results: Prevalence of pain at baseline was 34% and rose to 40% at follow-up.