This study will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) intervention for family caregivers of older adults receiving home-based primary care. The CSNAT is a structured, caregiver-centered approach designed to identify caregiver support needs and facilitate supportive problem-solving conversations between clinicians and family caregivers.
Family caregivers will be assigned to either the CSNAT intervention or a comparison group receiving usual care. Feasibility will be evaluated through participant recruitment, retention, and intervention adherence. Acceptability will be assessed through qualitative interviews with caregivers who participate in the intervention.
The study will also examine the preliminary effects of the CSNAT intervention on caregiver outcomes, including caregiver strain, physical well-being, mental well-being, and emotional management. In addition, the study will explore whether improvements in caregiver well-being are associated with a reduced risk of situations that may contribute to harm or neglect of the older adult receiving care.
This pilot study will provide information on the practicality of implementing the CSNAT intervention in home-based primary care and will inform the design of future larger-scale studies.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
keschlag@utmb.edu
The Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) is a caregiver-centered intervention designed to identify and address family caregiver support needs. The intervention includes completion of the CSNAT assessment followed by structured support and problem-solving discussions with a clinician to prioritize needs, develop action plans, and connect caregivers with available resources.
Participants in this arm will receive usual home-based primary care services. As part of standard practice, family caregivers may engage in informal, ad hoc conversations with the visiting nurse practitioner regarding caregiving needs and concerns during routine home care visits for the older adult receiving care. Caregivers in this arm will not receive the structured Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) intervention. Participants will complete study assessments at baseline and post-intervention.
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