Caregiver Eligibility for Support Services: Correlates and Consequences for Resource Utilization.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Litzelman K
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8099921 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study is to illustrate an evidence-based and theoretically informed mhealth resource (smartphone app) designed to provide communication support for informal cancer caregivers (friends or family members). METHODS:An eight-step process was conducted: (a) review of existing print resources, (b) selection of theoretical framework for content development, (c) integration of stakeholder feedback and literacy assessment into an alpha print model, (d) review of existing mhealth resources, (e) development of prototype, (f) assessment of caregiver acceptability (n = 5), (g) assessment of quality and perceived impact by cancer providers (n = 26), and (h) acceptability testing with caregivers (n = 6). RESULTS:Key stakeholders were integrated throughout development and user testing of this iOS smartphone app. The smartphone app consists of talking tips and resources for caregiver communication with the patient, family, far away family, and health care providers, as well as general information sharing features. CONCLUSIONS:This study demonstrates feasibility and development of an evidence-based and theory-driven mhealth resource to support caregiver communication about cancer. This is the first theory-driven mhealth application created to support the communication burden experienced by cancer caregivers. A larger study is needed to establish the efficacy of the app as an intervention for caregivers.
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Project description:ObjectivesHome- and community-based services (HCBS) help older adults remain living safely in their homes by delaying or preventing the need for institutionalization. This analysis is guided by the Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Services Use to examine the association between informal support and use of HCBS.MethodHealth and Retirement Study data from 2011 and 2012 are used in the bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression models to examine differences in HCBS utilization among extremely vulnerable older adults who have informal caregivers and those who do not.ResultsFor extremely vulnerable older adults who report difficulties with any instrumental or basic activities of daily living, use of HCBS is not strongly associated with access to informal caregivers. However, for this same population of extremely vulnerable older adults, those who live alone have roughly 3 times the odds of using any HCBS compared to those who do not live alone.DiscussionAmong already vulnerable older adults, this study revealed that living alone is an important enabling factor of the Andersen Behavioral Model as applied in HCBS research. Further investigation is needed to see if more resources should be allocated to senior centers and local providers to identify vulnerable older adults who live alone and may have unmet needs.
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Project description:ObjectiveTo assess the impact of the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) ACOs on mental health and substance use services utilization and racial/ethnic disparities in care for these conditions.Data sourcesFive percent random sample of Medicare claims from 2009 to 2016.Study designWe compared Medicare beneficiaries in MSSP ACOs to non-MSSP beneficiaries, stratifying analyses by Medicare eligibility (disability vs age 65+). We estimated difference-in-difference models of MSSP ACOs on mental health and substance use visits (outpatient and inpatient), medication fills, and adequate care for depression adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, region, and chronic medical and behavioral health conditions. To examine the differential impact of MSSP on our outcomes by race/ethnicity, we used a difference-in-difference-in-differences (DDD) design.Data collection/extraction methodsNot applicable.Principal findingsMSSP ACOs were associated with small reductions in outpatient mental health (Coeff: -0.012, P < .001) and substance use (Coeff: -0.001, P < .01) visits in the disability population, and in adequate care for depression for both the disability- and age-eligible populations (Coeff: -0.028, P < .001; Coeff: -0.012, P < .001, respectively). MSSP ACO's were also associated with increases in psychotropic medications (Coeff: 0.007 and Coeff: 0.0213, for disability- and age-eligible populations, respectively, both P < .001) and reductions in inpatient mental health stays (Coeff:-0.004, P < .001, and Coeff:-0.0002, P < .01 for disability- and age-eligible populations, respectively) and substance use-related stays for disability-eligible populations (Coeff:-0.0005, P<.05). The MSSP effect on disparities varied depending on type of service.ConclusionsWe found small reductions in outpatient and inpatient stays and in rates of adequate care for depression associated with MSSP ACOs. As MSSP ACOs are placed at more financial risk for population-based treatment, it will be important to include more robust behavioral health quality measures in their contracts and to monitor disparities in care.
| S-EPMC8313953 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The "SmartCaregivers" 1.0 mobile application is a beacon of hope for caregivers (CG) in rural areas, often facing limited access to facilities and support. This study, conducted from February to August 2021, aimed to comprehensively analyze the need for developing a database system and a mobile application tailored to enhance caregiver support and resource management for long-term dependent individuals in the rural areas of Maha Sarakham province, Thailand. The research followed a rigorous research and development (R & D) approach, specifically the ADDIE model (analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation). Data were collected from 402 caregivers and 10 key informants through surveys and interviews, as well as from 402 caregivers during the implementation and evaluation phases. The application's impact was assessed using a quasi-experimental design with a one-group pre-post-test, and its acceptance was evaluated through the technology acceptance model (TAM). The application significantly improved caregivers' knowledge scores, with a mean increase from 10.49 ± 2.53 to 12.18 ± 2.76 post-intervention. High scores for perceived usefulness (4.36 ± 0.62) and ease of use (4.31 ± 0.59) reassure the audience about the application's effectiveness in providing rapid access to health information, aiding decision-making, and improving care coordination. The system quality was also highly rated, with users appreciating the variety of functions and structural design. This potential for transformation and improvement instills hope and optimism for the future of caregiving in rural areas.
| S-EPMC11311701 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The aim of this intervention study was to illuminate the meaning of ICT-based caregiver support as experienced by older family carers living in vast rural areas, caring for a spouse at home. In order to access, the support service participants were provided with a computer and high speed Internet in their homes. Semi structured webcam-interviews were carried out with 31 family carers. A strategy for webcam interviewing was developed to ensure quality and create a comfortable interview situation for the family carers. Interviews were analysed using content analyses, resulting in the themes: Adopting new technology with help from others and Regaining social inclusion. The results indicate that ICT-based support can be valuable for older family carers in rural areas as it contributes to improve quality in daily life in a number of ways. In order to fully experience the benefits, family carers need to be frequent users of the provided support. Adequate training and encouragement from others were essential in motivating family carers to use the support service. Access to Internet and webcamera contributed to reducing loneliness and isolation, strengthening relationships with relatives living far away and enabled access to services no longer available in the area. Use of the ICT-service had a positive influence on the relationship between the older carer and adult grandchildren. It also contributed to carer competence and promote feelings of regaining independence and a societal role.
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Project description:BackgroundLittle is known about the proportion and the characteristics of community-dwelling people with dementia (PWD) living alone in Germany.ObjectivesTo analyze the prevalence of PWD living alone (with and without the support of an informal caregiver) and socio-demographical and clinical characteristics as well as health and nursing care utilization associated with living alone.MethodsDelpHi-MV (Dementia: Life- and person-centered help in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) is a general practitioner-based, randomized controlled intervention trial. The present analyses are based on baseline data of 511 patients (≥70 years, community-dwelling) who had screened positive for dementia (DemTect <9).ResultsN = 251 (51%) of the patients lived alone. PWD living alone were statistically significantly more often female, older, and more often widowed than those not living alone. About 9% of the patients (n = 24) were not supported by any informal caregiver. Regarding the clinical variables (cognitive and functional impairment, depression, falls, number of drug-related problems, malnutrition, quality of life), there were no statistically significant group differences. Patients living alone utilized professional services such as home care, help with medication, home-delivered meals, or housekeeping assistance significantly more often. Multivariate analyses confirmed these findings.ConclusionOur results reveal the high proportion of PWD living alone in Germany. PWD living alone did not seem to be at an increased health risk. Our findings indicate that living alone with dementia is possible. In order to ensure the sufficient provision of health and nursing care services for PWD living alone, providers should consider the present results for future planning.
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Project description:BackgroundCaregivers often use the internet to access information related to stroke care to improve preparedness, thereby reducing uncertainty and enhancing the quality of care.MethodSocial media communities used by caregivers of people affected by stroke were identified using popular keywords searched for using Google. Communities were filtered based on their ability to provide support to caregivers. Data from the included communities were extracted and analysed to determine the content and level of interaction.ResultsThere was a significant rise in the use of social media by caregivers of people affected by stroke. The most popular social media communities were charitable and governmental organizations with the highest user interaction-this was for topics related to stroke prevention, signs and symptoms, and caregiver self-care delivered through video-based resources.ConclusionFindings show the ability of social media to support stroke caregiver needs and practices that should be considered to increase their interaction and support.
| S-EPMC8791510 | biostudies-literature