CAPABLE Care Partner Pilot Study

Care partners (family/friend caregivers) of older adults are integral to the ability of these individuals to remain living in the community as independently as possible. Through the 12-year history of developing and offering CAPABLE, particularly the last four years when the program has been nationally disseminated, CAPABLE sites across the country have observed that in about 25% of cases, the older adult participant has a family or friend care partner who either lives with the older person (usually a spouse/partner) or is significantly involved in providing care or support with activities of daily living. This is consistent with other research on the level of caregiving in the U.S which indicates from 21-25% of individuals in the U.S. provided care to a family member or friend with a health limitation or disability within the last 30 days.

The evidence-based CAPABLE program developed by Drs. Gitlin and Szanton of Johns Hopkins School of Nursing does not currently have a structured or consistent way to involve these care partners in CAPABLE, nor does it offer any support to the care partner directly. Research on caregivers indicates that from 20-50% report delaying or skipping care as a result of focusing on caregiving for others and that caregiving has negatively impacted the caregivers own health status. However, there are positive aspects of caregiving as well, including deepening the relationship and enhancing the sense of purpose for the caregiver. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified need for support to caregivers in the Public Health Call to Action.

In Phases 1 and 2 of this CAPABLE Care Partner study (completed), the investigators co-created the Care Partner component as an add-on to CAPABLE, working with caregiving experts, CAPABLE clinicians, older adults, and care partners.

The purpose of this Care Partner Pilot Study is to:

• develop a prototype for an enhanced component to CAPABLE, focusing on the family or friend caregiver (called Care Partner) and
• evaluate the prototype through a multi-site pilot so it can be used by existing sites.

This pilot focuses on feasibility and acceptability of the Care Partner component, and a preliminary assessment of the effect on care partners.

The objectives are:

• Assess the feasibility of the CAPABLE Care Partner component being integrated into CAPABLE from the perspective of CAPABLE participants, care partners, CAPABLE program administrators, CAPABLE clinicians, and the Care Partner Support Specialist
• Determine the acceptability of CAPABLE Care Partner component to CAPABLE participants, care partners, CAPABLE program administrators, CAPABLE clinicians, and the Care Partner Support Specialist
• Evaluate effect of the Care Partner component on care partners, measuring self-reported competency, well-being, and indicators of stress, and obtaining qualitative information from a convenience sample of care partners.

Inclusion criteria

Care Partner:

• Provides 10+ hours/week of care or support for CAPABLE program participant
• Able to participate in two 45 minutes phone interview or virtual meetings
• English-speaking

CAPABLE Participant:

• CAPABLE participant of one of the CAPABLE programs offered by a pilot site organization
• Able to participate in two 30-minute phone interview or virtual meetings
• English-speaking

Occupational Therapist (OT)/ Registered Nurse (RN):

• Has been trained to provide CAPABLE and has served CAPABLE clients for at least 6 months
• Currently serving CAPABLE participants
• Able to participate in two one-hour phone call or virtual meetings
• English-speaking

Care Partner Support Specialist

• Licensed social worker or other professional trained in providing caregiver support
• Able to participate in two one-hour phone call or virtual meetings
• English-speaking

Program Administrator

• Currently managing a CAPABLE program
• Able to participate in two one-hour phone call or virtual meetings
• English-speaking

Exclusion criteria

Not applicable.