The Guided Care Program for Families and Friends

The Guided Care Program for Families and Friends (GCPFF) supports caregivers of adults with complex health needs. The goals of the program are to improve patients’ health and improve the well-being of their families and friends.

The program includes five caregiver elements that are managed by the Guided Care nurse:

• An initial one-on-one caregiver assessment
• Education and referrals to community resources
• Ongoing caregiver “coaching” and support
• Six 90-minute group caregiver workshop sessions
• Unstructured monthly support group meetings.

Results Show Caregivers are Less Stressed and Happier with the Quality of Care

The GCPFF was tested as part of Guided Care’s 32-month, randomized controlled trial (RCT). Results show that the program reduced strain and depression, increased perception of the quality of care, and improved work productivity for caregivers.

Key findings after six months include:

• Guided Care caregivers’ strain and depression scores were lower than the comparison caregivers’ scores, especially among caregivers who provided more than 14 hours of weekly assistance.
  
  
• Among high-intensity caregivers, depression scores declined more among Guided Care caregivers versus caregivers in the usual care group.

After 18 months, Guided Care caregivers judged the quality of chronic illness care received by their loved one significantly higher than those in the usual care group. Results show that Guided Care caregivers rated goal setting, coordination of care, decision support, and patient activation higher than caregivers in the usual care group.

While employed caregivers from both groups reported less of a decline in work productivity loss, the magnitude of decline was more substantial among Guided Care caregivers than usual care caregivers. Absenteeism was low for both groups, but presenteeism (caregiving-related reductions in productivity while at work) declined substantially among Guided Care caregivers.

Publications on the Guided Care Program for Families and Friends

• Wolff JL, Giovannetti ER, Palmer S, Wegener S, Reider L, Frey K, Scharfstein D, Boult C. Caregiving and Chronic Care: The Guided Care Program for Families and Friends. Journal of Gerontology: Medicine Sciences 2009:64A(7):785-791.
• Wolff JL, Giovannetti ER, Boyd CM, Reider L, Palmer S, Scharfstein D, Marsteller J, Wegener S, Frey K, Leff B, Frick KD, Boult C. Effects of Guided Care on Family Caregivers. Gerontologist 2009 [Epub ahead of print].
• Giovannetti ER, Wolff JL, Frick KD, Boult C. Construct Validity of the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire across Informal Caregivers of Chronically Ill Older Patients. Value in Health 2009;12(6):1011-1017.
  

What Caregivers Say About the Program

“My husband’s Guided Care nurse has helped me in my role as a caregiver. She is a liaison between patient and doctor when I’ve needed medications, contacts, or even hospitalization. She has given me a lot of moral support. Knowing I am going to hear from her is a source of strength for me.”

“It is hard to put into words a way to thank my mother’s Guided Care nurse for all that she did for my mom and me. She had listening ears, reassuring hugs, pep talks, and always helpful words.”