The Geri-PACT Team will implement iHi-Fives (implementation of Helping Invested Families Improve Veteran Experiences), an interdisciplinary group training for family caregivers of patients with ADRD. This program is part of a larger Function QUERI project, done in collaboration with 7 other facilities and coordinated by the Durham VA. The goal of the program is to optimize the functioning of family caregivers and patient independence. The iH-Fives core training consists of four 1-hour in-person classes for 10 caregivers twice yearly. The program is designed to provide interactive training for caregivers and patients with ADRD to optimize physical function among patients allowing them to remain longer at home and potentially avoiding institutional care.
The curriculum will be based on the REACH-VA caregiver support curriculum guide. The curriculum includes activation tasks to engage caregivers, provide information about disease course trajectory, communication and navigational strategies, and to provide clinical and (hands-on) skills and shared decision- making strategies. Caregivers attend in person or by phone. Group classes will be hosted by the PD, Geri-PACT nurse, and social worker, providing expert person-centered patient and caregiver support. The caregiver will be asked to consent to participate in the program and survey which will include the short Zarit burden interview. This project is determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs as non-research and TVHS receives no funding.