Clinical Research Directory

Caring for the Carer

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the acceptability and feasibility of implementing a novel, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) intervention to caregivers and supporters of individuals who have experienced psychosis, regardless of their relative's engagement in treatment specific to psychosis (i.e., coordinated specialty care (CSC) services). Additionally, the investigators will assess the secondary aim of impact on well-being as a result of the intervention.

Tai Po Hidden Carers Support and Home-Based Respite Project

The primary objective of this study is to identify and support hidden caregivers of older adults. Caregivers are assessed before the intervention on their mental well-being and social connectedness. Caregivers are triaged into four levels: low, mild, moderate and high. They will receive different types of services (intervention) accordingly. At the end of the service period (or 6-months after the baseline), caregivers and care recipients will complete the assessment again to measure the changes of the primary outcomes.

Jockey Club Stand-by-U Caregivers Community Support Project: In-home Respite for Caregivers of Older Adults

The goal of this study is to investigate whether the in-home respite service model is effective in relieving caregiver's burden and improving their mental wellbeing. Caregivers are triaged into four levels of needs using a self-developed screening tool. Those screened as mild and moderate levels are admitted to the study, while those in low or high-needs levels are referred to other services. Caregivers admitted in this study will receive either 12 or 36 hours of in-home respite services as the intervention. Trained volunteers or substitute caregivers will visit their home to take care the older adults, providing several hours of free time for the caregivers. Assessments are conducted before and immediate after the intervention, and 3, 6, 12 months after the completion of intervention, to measure the changes in mental wellbeing of the caregivers. A control group with no respite service provided is recruited to compare the effects in the changes of mental wellbeing.

Feasibility & Preliminary Impacts of an Online Psychoeducational Program (iSupport-Malaysia) for Informal Dementia Caregivers

The general objective of this pilot feasibility study is to implement the pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) and evaluate the feasibility of its methods and procedures for iSupport-Malaysia intervention. Another objective is to assess the acceptability and preliminary impacts of the iSupport-Malaysia web-based intervention on the psychological well-being of informal caregivers (ICs) of persons living with dementia (PLWDs) in Malaysia, compared to iSupport-Malaysia eBook. The main questions this pilot study aims to answer are: 1. How feasible is it to implement iSupport-Malaysia as an accessible resource for ICs of PLWD in Malaysia? 2. Does the use of iSupport-Malaysia lead to a reduction in caregiver burden among the ICs of PLWD in both web and eBook conditions? 3. Does the use of iSupport-Malaysia lead to improvements in psychological well-being (e.g. reduced depression, anxiety, stress; and increased quality of life) among the ICs of PLWD in both web and eBook conditions? 4. What are the perceptions of ICs of PLWD on the usability, satisfaction and perceived usefulness of the modules in iSupport-Malaysia? To answer these research questions: Seventy ICs of PLWD who met the study criteria will be recruited from the geriatric facilities of three hospitals, as well as via social media and referrals from elderly care centres. Eligible participants will sign an informed consent form, and be randomly assigned to the intervention (iSupport-Malaysia web program) or active comparison group (iSupport-Malaysia eBook) using stratified block randomisation. In both arms, participants are required to complete at least 10 out of 23 lessons within 3 months. Outcome measures will be administered online at baseline, 1-month and 3-month follow-up. Feasibility outcomes will also be measured. Upon completion of the program, ICs in the experimental group will be invited for in-depth interviews via an online teleconferencing platform. Expected outputs: A free, adaptive web-based iSupport-Malaysia in the local Malay language. iSupport-Malaysia can facilitate self-directed training in public and private dementia services, integrate into caregiver training programs, and promote self-directed public education on dementia care.

Survey for Caregivers Aged 50 and Over

There are more and more informal caregivers (PPA) in Quebec. Their increase between 2012 and 2018, according to data from the "General Social Survey - Care Given and Received," was significant, around 32%. The available data paint a typical portrait of a Quebec caregiver: (a) she is a woman, (b) aged between 50-55 years, (c) who devotes at least 3 hours of her time per week, on a regular basis, (d) to caring for an elderly parent. To this date, there is no reliable data on the health status-whether mental, physical, or social-of caregivers in Quebec. Yet this information is crucial because it affects the ability of caregivers to fulfill their role and, consequently, the stable health of the individuals they care for, allowing them to continue living at home. This situation exposes caregivers to a decline in their own health, and by extension, the health of those they care for. The fact that the typical Quebec caregiver is 50 years old or older increases the risk of health deterioration within the caregiver-care receiver pair. Indeed, age 50 is when the effects of physiological and pathological aging begin to impact the physical capacities of the elderly. Developing new practices that focus on the health characteristics of both caregivers and care receivers, in order to prevent health deterioration, is therefore a crucial step in supporting caregivers in their role and ensuring that care receivers can stay at home in good conditions for as long as possible. The issue of caregivers' health is still under-addressed in Quebec, both in the scientific literature and in population surveys. It seems that caregivers need a comprehensive evaluation of their health status (physical, mental, and social), given the significant impact caregiving has on their health. Research conducted within the Living Lab, led by Dr. Beauchet's team, has helped develop tools and questionnaires that effectively assess the frailty of individuals aged 50 and over and produce reports that raise awareness about their health status, enabling them to implement future care solutions that meet their needs. The overall objective is to assess the health status (mental, physical, social) of caregivers aged 50 and over, living in Quebec-through self-assessment to make them aware of their actual health condition and engage them in a process of self-care.