Feasibility of a Multi-Component Strengths-Building Intervention for Caregivers of Persons With Heart Failure

• Published in: Journal of applied gerontology Vol. 42; no. 12; pp. 2371 - 2382
• Main Authors: Abshire Saylor, Martha, Pavlovic, Noelle, DeGroot, Lyndsay, Peeler, Anna, Nelson, Katie E., Perrin, Nancy, Gilotra, Nisha A., Wolff, Jennifer L., Davidson, Patricia M., Szanton, Sarah L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.12.2023; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Caregiver burden; Caregivers; Caregivers - psychology; Feasibility Studies; Female; Heart failure; Heart Failure - therapy; Humans; Intervention; Male; Mental Health; Quality of life; Quality of Life - psychology; Self-efficacy; intervention; heart failure; caregiver
• ISSN: 0733-4648; 1552-4523; 1552-4523
• DOI: 10.1177/07334648231191595

Caregivers of persons with heart failure (HF) navigate complex care plans, yet support strategies often focus solely on meeting the needs of patients. We conducted a randomized waitlist control trial (N = 38) to test the feasibility and gauge initial effect size of the Caregiver Support intervention on quality of life, caregiver burden, and self-efficacy among HF caregivers. The intervention includes up to five remote, nurse-facilitated sessions. Components address: holistic caregiver assessment, life purpose, action planning, resources, and future planning. Caregivers were 93.3% female, 60% White, and 63.3% spouses. Average age was 59.4. Participants who completed the intervention reported high satisfaction and acceptability of activities. Between-group effect sizes at 16 and 32 weeks suggest improvement in quality of life (mental health) (.88; 1.08), caregiver burden (.31; .37), and self-efficacy (.63; .74). Caregivers found Caregiver Support acceptable and feasible. Findings contribute evidence that this intervention can enhance caregiver outcomes. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT04090749.