Adapting and implementing the I-HoME intervention in caregivers of patients with ADRD

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PROJECT SUMMARY Overview: The proposal aims to adapt and pilot test the Improving Home hospice Management of End-of-life issues through technology (I-HoME) intervention for caregivers of ADRD patients with advanced illness. I-HoME is a caregiver-directed intervention that supplements existing care with video visits and education provided by a palliative trained nurse practitioner. Background: The number of patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) who need and/or receive palliative care has increased steadily over the past few decades. Yet, research focused on developing and testing services and models to best meet the palliative care needs of ADRD patients and their caregivers remains modest. As a result, multiple organizations have called for research to improve palliative care in affected patients and their caregivers. Research plan: Aim 1 of the proposal is to adapt the I-HoME intervention for caregivers of ADRD patients with advanced illness by leveraging stakeholder input through interviews with providers (n=15) and caregivers (n=15) of ADRD patients. Using an iterative user-centered design approach, the data collected will inform adaption of the I-HoME manual, protocol, and data collection instruments to address the care needs of patients with ADRD and their caregivers. Aim 2 of the proposal is to pilot test the adapted I-HoME intervention with family caregivers (n=15) of ADRD patients with advanced illness. Data will be collected regarding intervention feasibility and acceptability. Secondary measures will consist of ADRD symptom assessment tools, caregiver burden, caregiver anxiety and depression scores, and caregiver satisfaction. The proposal has the potential to lead to advances in introducing new models of palliative care delivery to support caregivers of ADRD patients with advanced illness around symptom management and care issues.