Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Using Community Health Workers to Support Rural Care Partners of Seriously Ill Older Veterans

United States480 participantsStarted 2026-09-01

Plain-language summary

The investigators aim to support care partner's well-being and satisfaction with VA care and decrease their work burden by offering extra support from a trained Community Health Worker who will help connect the care partner to helpful resources in their communities and in the VA. The investigators also hope to help Veterans well-being and satisfaction with VA care by supporting their care partner more sufficiently allowing the care partner to focus on caregiving tasks.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: Care Partner Inclusion Criteria * A relative, friend, or partner (18 years of age) with whom Veteran patient has a personal relationship who assists Veteran regularly with care and/or care coordination as defined under "Veterans" below * Residing in a rural area based on RUCC or Rural-Urban Continuum Codes83 * Must be enrolled in CSP Program of General Caregiver Support Services * Can live with or separately from the Veteran; able to communicate in English by phone Veteran Inclusion Criteria * Receiving care at Durham, Asheville, and Richmond VA Health Systems (e.g., at least 2 outpatient visits in past year; has a primary provider) and residing in a rural area. * Diagnosed with congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, dementia, or end-stage renal disease. * Requires assistance with at least one ADL (i.e., walking, feeding, toileting, transferring, bathing, or dressing) or IADL (i.e., transport, medication, financial management, shopping, or meal preparation) * 50 years old or older and able to communicate in English by phone (for assessments) Exclusion Criteria: Veteran Exclusion Criteria * Flag or social work note indicating suspected Caregiver abuse. * Unable to communicate in English by phone for assessments.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Zarit-12 Cargiver Burden Interview

Timeframe: baseline and 6 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06963970

SponsorVA Office of Research and Development

Sponsor typeFED

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-12-31

Contact for this trial

Jennifer B Zervakis, PhD

(919) 286-0411 jennifer.zervakis@va.gov

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