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Resources by Topic: Informal caregivers

An Aging America: Priorities and Policy Innovations
Presents themes that emerged during the National Academy of State Health Policy's 2024 pre-conference on aging. Highlights examples of innovative approaches in New York and North Dakota, as well as federal aging initiatives that support states.
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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Transitional Palliative Care for Family Caregivers: Outcomes From a Randomized Controlled Trial
Examines the influence of mentoring from a palliative care nurse on family caregivers in rural and medically underserved areas of three states. Analyzes adult caregivers from 2018-2022 after their care recipient who utilized inpatient palliative care was discharged from the hospital. Compares a control group who received only monthly phone calls with an intervention group who received teaching, guidance, and counseling. Discusses importance of both caregiver support and patient wellness.
Author(s): Joan M. Griffin, Jay N. Mandrekar, Catherine E. Vanderboom, et al.
Citation: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 68(5), 456-466
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
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The Friends and Family for Mental Health Program: A Pilot Study of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Skills Intervention for Rural Adults
Pilot study on the Friends and Family for Mental Health Program, a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills program for informal caregivers in rural communities. Provides data on 37 Ohioans' change in informal care skills and psychological well-being while participating in the program. Discusses informal care models and examines barriers to mental health services in rural areas.
Author(s): Samuel T Murphy, Jennifer S Cheavens, Daniel R Strunk
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 24(4), 9066
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
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Rural-Urban and Regional Variations in Aspects of Caregiving, Support Services and Caregiver Health in the USA: Evidence from a National Survey
Examines geographical differences in caregiving intensity, burden, health, and support based on U.S. region and rural versus urban location. Utilizes data from 3,551 informal caregivers part of the National Study of Caregiving and provides rural versus urban breakdowns of demographic information, active daily living (ADL) needs, caregiving characteristics, and more.
Author(s): Steven A Cohen, Neelam H Ahmed, Kerri A Ellis, et al.
Citation: BMJ Open, 14(10)
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
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America's Military and Veteran Caregivers: Hidden Heroes Emerging from the Shadows
Offers a profile of caregivers for military members and veterans. Discusses demographic, physical and mental health, geography, costs, support systems, and more. Includes recommendations for healthcare access, policy, and research based on report findings. Discusses rural throughout and includes an analysis on the differences between rural and urban caregiving in Chapter 7.
Author(s): Rajeev Ramchand, Sarah Dalton, Tamara Dubowitz, et al.
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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Building On and Tailoring To: Adapting a Cancer Caregiver Psychoeducational Intervention for Rural Settings
Describes the process for adapting the CARING intervention for rural cancer patient caregivers. Offers lessons learned related to intervention selection, involving impacted populations, and communicating with the original intervention developers.
Author(s): Erin E. Kent, Kelly R. Tan, Zev M. Nakamura, et al.
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 13(7), e70187
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
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Variations in Caregivers' Health and Well-Being in the North Central Region: Research Snapshot
Examines the emotional and financial health of caregivers across gender, race/ethnicity, household income, rurality, and caregiving type. Utilizes 2023 data from the North Central Region and provides statistics on physical, mental, social, and financial effects of caregiving.
Author(s): Elena Pojman, Florence Becot, Shoshanah Inwood
Date: 08/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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Place-Based, Intersectional Variation in Caregiving Patterns and Health Outcomes Among Informal Caregivers in the United States
Examines the correlation between informal caregivers' health and well-being and race/ethnicity, sex, and rural-urban status. Utilizes 2021-2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data to analyze rural versus urban differences in informal caregiver demographics, type and time spent caregiving, and health status.
Author(s): Steven A. Cohen, Caitlin C. Nash, Mary L. Greaney
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 12
Date: 08/2024
Type: Document
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Palliative Care for Patients with Heart Failure and Family Caregivers in Rural Appalachia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Evaluates FamPALcare, a telephone coaching intervention for family caregivers who provide palliative care to patients with heart failure (HF) in rural Appalachia. Provides data on patients' HF-related physical health and depression/anxiety, caregivers' caregiving burden and depression/anxiety, and intervention helpfulness at 3 and 6 months.
Author(s): Ubolrat Piamjariyakul, Angel Smothers, Kesheng Wang, et al.
Citation: BMC Palliative Care, 23, 199
Date: 08/2024
Type: Document
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Caregiver Recruitment Strategies for Interventions Designed to Optimize Transitions from Hospital to Home: Lessons from a Randomized Trial
Compares in-person and virtual recruitment strategies for a video-based intervention for family caregivers (FCGs) to improve transitional palliative care for critically ill patients in rural Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Includes data on effectiveness of each strategy and diversity of recruited FCGs.
Author(s): Allison M. Gustavson, Molly J. Horstman, et al.
Citation: Trials, 25, 454
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
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