A Home-Based Intervention's Impact on Caregiver Burden for Veterans With Dependence Performing Activities of Daily Living: An Interdisciplinary Approach

Soc Work Health Care. 2015;54(5):461-73. doi: 10.1080/00981389.2015.1030056.

Abstract

The Veterans Health Administration offers multiple programs to support veteran's caregivers. This study examines one such program, modeled after the national VHA Home Based Primary Care Program (HBPC). A retrospective secondary data analysis was conducted on the VHA GAP program, examining the impact on reducing caregiver burden. Findings from examination of 48 veteran/caregiver dyads indicated the program had a clinically and statistically significant impact on decreasing caregiver role strain. These findings were compared to the national evidence-based HBPC program, finding no significant differences in decrease of caregiver burden between the recipients of the GAP program and the national HBPC programs.

Keywords: caregiver; caregiver burden; dependence performing activities of daily living; veterans.

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living*
  • Aged
  • Caregivers / psychology*
  • Home Care Services / organization & administration*
  • Home Care Services / standards
  • Humans
  • Organizational Case Studies
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Social Support
  • Social Work / organization & administration*
  • Social Work / standards
  • Stress, Psychological / etiology
  • Stress, Psychological / prevention & control*
  • United States
  • Veterans Health*