Clinical trials

This RCT design will enroll 256 informal caregivers (spouse/partner or child) of HHC patients with HF/CI and 60 patients with HF and mild to moderate CI (60 dyads). After collecting baseline data, we will block randomize the caregivers 1:1 to the ViCCY intervention or comparator group, stratifying randomization by caregiver sex (male/female), relationship (spouse/partner or child), and race (white/other)- factors known to influence caregiving burden, perceived stress, and receptivity to the intervention. We will encourage caregivers to use their own devices but provide tablet devices with wireless network access if needed. The intervention group will receive 10 sessions of ViCCY over 6 months.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the Dementia Caregivers' Link to Assistance and Resources (DECLARE) program can improve support of, and engagement with, caregivers of home health patients with dementia. DECLARE includes a caregiver self-assessment that is reported in the home health patient record, and increased access to social work for cases including dementia caregivers. The main questions we aim to answer are: * Will most caregivers who are offered the chance to complete an assessment choose to do so? * Will clinicians report that the assessment information was useful? * Will the rate of social work access increase for cases with patients with dementia who have involved family caregivers? Researchers will compare DECLARE to usual care to see if taking part in the program increases caregiver self-efficacy and access to social work. Participants will: * Answer a short series of assessment questions and questions about their caregiving experiences at the beginning of the home health episode. * Receive a social work visit from a Licensed Social Worker trained in dementia care. * Answer a series of follow-up questions about their caregiving experiences at the end of the home health episode.