# DEMENTIA MANAGEMENT--HOME INTERVENTION FOR CAREGIVERS

> **NIH NIH R01** · THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY · 1993 · $325,094

## Abstract

This application proposes a three year research projcct to test thc
effectiveness of a home-based intervention for individuals caring
for and residing with a family member with moderate impairment from
dementia (Alzheimer's discase or mixed-type).  The overall goal of
the intervcntion is to enhancc the caregiver's abiiity to integrate
information about environmental influenccs into his/hcr
problcm-solving proccss, resulting in an improved ability to manage
thc bchavioral or secondary symptoms of dementia.  In response to
demographic changes and rising costs of long-term care, this
approach addresses a critical nced to develop pragmatic and cost-
effective strategies to support thc efforts of family caregivers.

Based on a competence-environmental press framework, the
intervcntion assists caregivers in acquiring skill in solving
managcment problems by manipulating their environment in response
to the numerous and changing issues which emerge while caring for
a family member with dementia.  The introduction of assistance to
the caregiver in his/her own environment offers the unique
opportunity to provide a service approach which is relevant and
sensitive to the skill level, needs and home environment of the
caregivcr and care recipient.  Thc study will yield important
information about the nature and role of collaboration in
therapeutic rclationships, thc cost-benefit of homc-based support
services, and the effectiveness of environmental manipulations in
the home to modify behavior.

A two-group, randomized experimental dcsign targeting 250 primary
caregivers will be used to test the effectiveness of thc
intervention.  Subjects will be randomly assigned to either a
treatment or control group, blocking on caregiver gendcr and
familial relationship (spouse vs. non-spouse).  The treatment group
will participate in a 5 visit, home-based intervention while the
control group will not participate in such services.  A three month
post-test will evaluate the immediate effect of the experimental
program to: 1) expand caregiver approach to problem-solving, 2)
expand caregiver ability to identify and introduce environmental
modifications in the homc, 3) improve caregivcr's sense of efficacy
about his/her problem-solving, 4) reduce dcgree of caregivcr upset,
and 4) lessen frequcncy of carc recipient problem behaviors.  A six
month telephone interview will assess the long-tcrm impact of thc
program on: 1) incidence of nursing home placement, 2) caregiver
health behaviors, and 3) caregiver expansion of management skills
to new problems.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3122917
- **Project number:** 5R01AG010947-02
- **Recipient organization:** THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** R8JEVL4ULGB7
- **Principal Investigator:** Laura N. Gitlin
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1993
- **Award amount:** $325,094
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1992-08-01 → 1995-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3122917

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3122917, DEMENTIA MANAGEMENT--HOME INTERVENTION FOR CAREGIVERS (5R01AG010947-02). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3122917. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*