We used a 30-item modification of the original 42-item questionnaire developed by Lazarus in 1985. We measured these coping styles: active, avoidance, and minimization. The instrument uses a 4-point Likert-scale response format (0 = not used to 3 = used a great deal). Scores range from 0-45, 0-30, and 0-30 for the active, avoidance and minimization subscales, respectively. Higher scores indicate greater use of particular coping styles.

Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36): measure of physical and mental health.The SF-36 has 36 items formatted in scales of varied format (3-, 5- and 6-pt scales and dichotomous [yes/no] scales). Each component score is standardized a 0-100 point scale. Higher values represent better health status. Reliability is varied samples is typically 0.80. Convergent and divergent validity have been demonstrated in various populations, including caregivers. A benefit of using the SF-36 is that it is one of the common data elements.

The SF-6D uses preference weights derived from the SF-36. The Short-Form Six-Dimension (SF-6D) provides a way to use the SF-36 in economic evaluation by estimating a preference-based single index measure for health from these data using general population values. The SF-6D score represents caregiver quality of life at a given timepoint. Higher SF-6D Scores are better.

Healthcare resource use was self-reported by caregivers when they were telephoned at each follow-up period, asking about utilization since the last interview date. The self-reported healthcare use comprised 5 major categories: hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, ambulance services, and home care services. A bottom-up cost account approach was used, wherein the sum of resources times their unit price yielded the total costs associated with healthcare resource use. Unit prices were measured using the 2021 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) (https://meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb), an annual survey on the financing and use of medical care in the United States collected by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

For the 93 patients enrolled, the medical record was reviewed to capture hospitalization days. The aim was to explore the effect of caregiver outcomes (self-care, stress, coping, health status) on HF patient outcomes. We hypothesize that at 12 months, HF patients whose caregivers improve vs. not improve in self-care (regardless of treatment group) will have Lower hospitalization rates. A comparison of patients' hospitalization days which occurred between 6 and 12 month timepoints was conducted between those caregivers who exhibited a self care improvement from baseline to 6 month timepoint and those caregivers who did not exhibit a self care improvement from the baseline to 6 month timepoint.

For the 93 patients enrolled, the medical record was reviewed to measure mortality. The aim was to explore the effect of caregiver outcomes (self-care, stress, coping, health status) on HF patient outcomes. We hypothesize that at 12 months, HF patients whose caregivers improve vs. not improve in self-care (regardless of treatment group) would have lower mortality rates. A comparison of patient mortality occurring between 6 and 12 months was conducted between those caregivers who improved in self care during the intervention period (baseline to 6 months) and those caregivers who did not improve in self care.

This measure of quality adjusted life years (QALY) is derived from the SF-36. It was used in the cost-effectiveness analysis. The SF-6D uses preference weights derived from the SF-36. The Short-Form Six-Dimension (SF-6D) provides a way to use the SF-36 in economic evaluation by estimating a preference-based single index measure for health from these data using general population values. The SF-6D score represents patient quality of life at a given timepoint, while the QALY represents the area under the curve of patient quality of life from baseline to 12-month timepoints. A QALY value of one equates to one year in perfect health. Higher quality adjusted life years (QALYs) are better.

Caregivers randomized to the control group received Health Information on Samsung tablets. They were asked to spend at least 30 minutes weekly using the computer tablets to access recommended websites.

Total of all reporting groups

Self-reported sex

Analysis population consists of 250 caregivers and 93 patients

Self-reported ethnicity (Hispanic vs. not Hispanic)

Analysis population consists of 250 caregivers and 93 patients

Self-reported information collected at baseline.

Analysis population consists of 250 caregivers and 93 patients

Self-Care Maintenance is one scale of the Self-Care Inventory. This scale measures efforts to maintain one's health through health promoting practices. Scores range from 0-100. Higher scores indicate better self-care. The focus of this intervention and analysis was on Self-Care Maintenance. The composite reliability coefficient was 0.73 and the global reliability index for multidimensional scales was 0.85. Test-retest reliability was 0.81 after 10 days in 125 volunteers drawn from a US sample. This theoretically derived instrument has construct validity.

250 caregivers analyzed. One caregiver did not provide sufficient data for the Self Care Inventory survey and thus has a missing value for the score.

Years spent caregiving were self-reported by caregivers at baseline.

250 caregivers analyzed. One caregiver did not provide sufficient data for the Years Caregiving survey question and thus has a missing value for the score.

Hours typically spent daily in caregiving were self-reported at baseline by caregivers. Specifically, caregivers were prompted to report "How many hours per day do you care for him or her? (hours/day)"

250 caregivers analyzed. Three caregivers did not provide sufficient data for this measure at baseline.

The Health Self-Care Neglect Scale measures specific behaviors that the caregiver self-reports as neglecting. Scores range from 0-9 with higher scores indicating more self-neglect. In testing recently conducted with baseline data, reliability was assessed with composite reliability model-based estimates. Concurrent validity was assessed by correlating the HSCN scale total score with the maintenance scale score of the Self-Care Inventory.

250 Caregivers Analyzed

The Perceived Stress Scale measures how stressful an individual perceives their life to be. This scale contains 14 questions, and respondents rate themselves on a scale of 0 (never) to 4 (very often) for each question. Scores range from 0-56. Higher scores indicate higher perceived stress.

250 caregivers analyzed. Two caregivers did not provide sufficient data for this measure at baseline.

The Ways of Coping Scale measures coping processes and identifies the thoughts and actions used to cope when facing a specific stressful encounter. The scale has three subscales used in this study (active, minimization, and avoidance coping). Items are rated 0 (not used) to 3 (used a great deal). This active coping subscale has 15 items and scores that range from 0 - 45. Higher scores indicate more use of active methods to cope with stress. It is reliable (alpha 0.95) and has construct validity. This instrument has been used numerous times in studies with older adult caregivers.

250 caregivers analyzed. Six caregivers did not provide sufficient data for this measure at baseline.

The Ways of Coping Scale measures coping processes and identifies the thoughts and actions used to cope when facing a specific stressful encounter. The scale has three subscales used in this study (active, minimization, and avoidance coping). Items are rated 0 (not used) to 3 (used a great deal). This avoidance coping subscale has 10 items and scores that range from 0 - 30. Higher scores indicate more use of avoidance methods such as wishful thinking to cope with stress. It is reliable (alpha 0.95) and has construct validity.

250 caregivers analyzed. Five caregivers did not provide sufficient data for this measure at baseline.

The Ways of Coping Scale measures an individual's coping processes and identifies the thoughts and actions an individual used to cope when facing a specific stressful encounter. The scale has three subscales used in this study (active, minimization, and avoidance coping). Items are rated 0 (not used) to 3 (used a great deal). This subscale measuring minimization coping has 10 items and scores that range from 0 - 30. Higher scores indicate that the person uses minimization methods (efforts to detach from the unpleasant situation) to cope with stress.

250 caregivers analyzed. Eight caregivers did not provide sufficient data for this measure at baseline.

The SF-36 measures overall health status along 8 domains: vitality, physical functioning, bodily pain, general health perceptions, physical role functioning, emotional role functioning, social role functioning, and mental health. The scale uses both Likert-scale questions and yes or no questions. Scores can be summed as physical and mental health. Physical health is calculated using items reflecting physical functioning, physical role and bodily pain. Scores are standardized 0-100 with higher scores indicating better physical functioning.

250 caregivers analyzed. Seven caregivers did not provide sufficient data for this measure at baseline.

The SF-36 measures overall health status along 8 domains: vitality, physical functioning, bodily pain, general health perceptions, physical role functioning, emotional role functioning, social role functioning, and mental health. The scale uses both Likert-scale questions and yes or no questions. Scores can be summed as physical and mental health. Mental health is calculated using items reflecting mental health, emotional role functioning, and social functioning. Scores are standardized 0-100 with higher scores indicating better mental functioning.

250 caregivers analyzed. Seven caregivers did not provide sufficient data for this measure at baseline.

The control group received only Health Information (HI) delivered through the internet.

The Self-Care Inventory is a 20 item inventory with 3 embedded scales (self-care maintenance, monitoring, and management). The outcome used in this study was the 8-item Self-Care Maintenance Scale. Responses are added and standardized to range from 0-100. A higher score indicates better self-care.

Number of participants analyzed differs across timepoints due to participant attrition, missing data due to nonresponse, and/or missed study timepoints.

The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), a 14-item instrument that provides a global rating of an individual's belief in the severity and frequency of stressful experiences during the last month. The Perceived Stress Scale includes 14 items designed to assess symptoms of stress and global measures of the degree of stress experienced in the past month. Each item is scored from 0 (never) to 4 (very often), with total sum scores ranging from 0 to 56; higher scores indicate higher perceived stress. In prior test, Cronbach's alpha of the scale ranged from 0.84 to 0.86, and was 0.91 for older African American and European American females.

Number of participants analyzed differs across timepoints due to participant attrition, missing data due to nonresponse, and/or missed study timepoints.

We used a 30-item modification of the original 42-item questionnaire developed by Lazarus in 1985. We measured these coping styles: active, avoidance, and minimization. The instrument uses a 4-point Likert-scale response format (0 = not used to 3 = used a great deal). Scores range from 0-45, 0-30, and 0-30 for the active, avoidance and minimization subscales, respectively. Higher scores indicate greater use of particular coping styles.

Number of participants analyzed differs across timepoints due to participant attrition, missing data due to nonresponse, and/or missed study timepoints.

Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36): measure of physical and mental health.The SF-36 has 36 items formatted in scales of varied format (3-, 5- and 6-pt scales and dichotomous [yes/no] scales). Each component score is standardized a 0-100 point scale. Higher values represent better health status. Reliability is varied samples is typically 0.80. Convergent and divergent validity have been demonstrated in various populations, including caregivers. A benefit of using the SF-36 is that it is one of the common data elements.

Number of participants analyzed differs across timepoints due to participant attrition, missing data due to nonresponse, and/or missed study timepoints.

The SF-6D uses preference weights derived from the SF-36. The Short-Form Six-Dimension (SF-6D) provides a way to use the SF-36 in economic evaluation by estimating a preference-based single index measure for health from these data using general population values. The SF-6D score represents caregiver quality of life at a given timepoint. Higher SF-6D Scores are better.

Healthcare resource use was self-reported by caregivers when they were telephoned at each follow-up period, asking about utilization since the last interview date. The self-reported healthcare use comprised 5 major categories: hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, ambulance services, and home care services. A bottom-up cost account approach was used, wherein the sum of resources times their unit price yielded the total costs associated with healthcare resource use. Unit prices were measured using the 2021 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) (https://meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb), an annual survey on the financing and use of medical care in the United States collected by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

At 12-months we had 209 caregivers available for the analysis; 15 were missing healthcare utilization data. We excluded 1 outlier who was in the hospital a long time. Then we had 193 in the final sample. Some of the 193 caregivers included in the analysis skipped one or two or even more follow-up interviews. However, caregivers were asked to report their healthcare utilization since the last follow-up and thus these records were able to be included in analysis.

For the 93 patients enrolled, the medical record was reviewed to capture hospitalization count. The aim was to explore the effect of caregiver outcomes (self-care) on HF patient outcomes. We hypothesize that at 12 months, HF patients whose caregivers improve vs. not improve in self-care (regardless of treatment group) will have Lower hospitalization rates. A comparison of patients' hospitalization counts which occurred between 6 and 12 month timepoints was conducted between those caregivers who exhibited a self care improvement from baseline to 6 month timepoint and those caregivers who did not exhibit a self care improvement from the baseline to 6 month timepoint.

The study sample includes 93 patients total. Because analysis focuses on patient outcomes during months 6 to 12 of the study, 4 patients were excluded from analysis of patient health outcomes due to death occurring between baseline and 6-month study timepoint. Among the remaining 89 enrolled patients, 15 did not provide sufficient data to determine whether self care improved from baseline to six months. Thus, a sample of 74 patients was analyzed.

For the 93 patients enrolled, the medical record was reviewed to capture hospitalization days. The aim was to explore the effect of caregiver outcomes (self-care, stress, coping, health status) on HF patient outcomes. We hypothesize that at 12 months, HF patients whose caregivers improve vs. not improve in self-care (regardless of treatment group) will have Lower hospitalization rates. A comparison of patients' hospitalization days which occurred between 6 and 12 month timepoints was conducted between those caregivers who exhibited a self care improvement from baseline to 6 month timepoint and those caregivers who did not exhibit a self care improvement from the baseline to 6 month timepoint.

The study sample includes 93 patients total. Because analysis focuses on patient outcomes during months 6 to 12 of the study, 4 patients were excluded from analysis of patient health outcomes due to death occurring between baseline and six month study timepoint. Among the remaining 89 enrolled patients, 15 did not provide sufficient self care data from baseline to six months. Lastly, one outlier was excluded with 148 hospital days in 6 months.A sample of 73 patients was analyzed.

For the 93 patients enrolled, the medical record was reviewed to measure mortality. The aim was to explore the effect of caregiver outcomes (self-care, stress, coping, health status) on HF patient outcomes. We hypothesize that at 12 months, HF patients whose caregivers improve vs. not improve in self-care (regardless of treatment group) would have lower mortality rates. A comparison of patient mortality occurring between 6 and 12 months was conducted between those caregivers who improved in self care during the intervention period (baseline to 6 months) and those caregivers who did not improve in self care.

The study sample includes 93 patients total. Because analysis focuses on patient outcomes during months 6 to 12 of the study, 4 patients were excluded from analysis of patient health outcomes due to death occurring between baseline and six month study timepoint. Among the remaining 89 enrolled patients, 15 did not provide sufficient data to determine whether self care improved from baseline to six months. Thus, a sample of 74 patients was analyzed.

This measure of quality adjusted life years (QALY) is derived from the SF-36. It was used in the cost-effectiveness analysis. The SF-6D uses preference weights derived from the SF-36. The Short-Form Six-Dimension (SF-6D) provides a way to use the SF-36 in economic evaluation by estimating a preference-based single index measure for health from these data using general population values. The SF-6D score represents patient quality of life at a given timepoint, while the QALY represents the area under the curve of patient quality of life from baseline to 12-month timepoints. A QALY value of one equates to one year in perfect health. Higher quality adjusted life years (QALYs) are better.

49 patients provided complete SF36 data at both baseline and 12 month timepoints.

The caregivers got augmented standard care with health information programmed on on Samsung tablets

The study also aims to explore the effect of caregiver outcomes on patient outcomes. The hypothesis is that if the caregiver is less stressed, the patient will do better. There are 42 dyads enrolled in the study associated with caregivers that were randomized to the intervention.

The study also aims to explore the effect of caregiver outcomes on patient outcomes. The hypothesis is that if the caregiver is less stressed, the patient will do better. There are 51 dyads enrolled in the study associated with caregivers that were randomized to health information.

Minimization Coping Subscale

The p-value for the group-by-time interaction is presented, as well as the estimated mean and confidence interval for difference in 6-month change between intervention and treatment groups.