Behavioral Health Program for Short-Stay Nursing Facility Residents & Care Partners

Building Resilience in Skilled Nursing Care: A Behavioral Health Intervention for Residents & Care Partners

The goal of this clinical trial is to test a behavioral health program (Interventions for Stressful Transitions in Later Life, InSTILL) for skilled nursing facility residents and their primary support person. The main questions it aims to answer is whether the program is program is feasible, satisfactory, and helpful. The researchers will compare the InSTILL program to minimally enhanced usual care. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the InSTILL program or minimally enhanced usual care. Participants will complete assessments at three timepoints (all) and a brief-exit interview.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient and care partner both aged ≥ 18 years
• Patient with care partner (known person providing regular health-related, socioemotional, or practical support) willing to participate
• Patient reporting depression symptoms on a screening tool (Patient Health Questionnaire)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient intended length of nursing facility stay < 7 days
• Patient evidencing more than mild impairment on a cognitive screen (Brief Interview for Mental Status)
• Patient's roommate in skilled nursing facility already enrolled in study/intervention
• Either patient or care partner reporting high risk of suicidality, based on a standardized safety assessment tool
• Either patient or care partner participating in newly initiated psychotherapy