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Effects of a Health and Social Collaborative Case Management Model on Health Outcomes of Family Caregivers of Frail Older Adults: Preliminary Data from a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
Yu Doris S. F.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/jgs.14259
Subject(s) - medicine , multidisciplinary approach , family caregivers , randomized controlled trial , gerontology , caregiver burden , quality of life (healthcare) , vitality , social support , intervention (counseling) , family medicine , nursing , dementia , psychology , social science , philosophy , surgery , disease , theology , pathology , sociology , psychotherapist
Family caregiving is an important form of informal care provided to frail, community‐dwelling older adults. This article describes a health and social collaborative case management ( HSC ‐ CM ) model that aims to optimize the support given to caregivers of frail elderly adults. The model was characterized by a comprehensive assessment to identify the caregiver's needs; a case management approach to provide integrated, coordinated, continued care; and multidisciplinary group‐based education customized to the caregiver's individualized needs. A pilot study using a randomized controlled trial study design was conducted to evaluate the effects of the HSC ‐ CM on caregiver burden and health‐related quality of life of family caregivers of frail elderly adults. Sixty family caregivers (mean age 61.3 ± 15.5) of frail older adults recruited from a community center for elderly adults in Hong Kong were randomly assigned to receive a 16‐week HSC ‐ CM intervention or usual care. Case managers who conducted a comprehensive assessment of the care dyads to identify caregiver needs using a case management approach to optimize care coordination and continuity led the HSC ‐ CM . These case managers served as liaisons for multidisciplinary efforts to provide group‐based education according to caregiver needs. Family caregivers who participated in the HSC ‐ CM had significantly greater improvement on the Caregiver Burden Index (p = .03) and on the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item Short‐Form Survey subscales, including vitality (p = .049), social role functioning (p = .047), and general well‐being (p = .049). This study provides preliminary evidence indicating that client‐centered care, a case management approach, and multidisciplinary support are crucial to an effective caregiving support initiative. A full‐scale study is required to validate these findings.