REACH II Intervention (Schulz and colleagues)
PI Contact Information: Richard Schulz, PhDCoordinating Center
Professor of Psychiatry and Director, University Center for Social and Urban Research
Associate Director, University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Phone: 412-624-2311
E-mail: schulz@pitt.edu
Intervention Study Title: Enhancing the Quality of Life of Dementia Caregivers from Different Ethnic or Racial Groups
Built upon the findings of REACH I, REACH II was funded in 2001 to design and test a single multi-component intervention among family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders. The overall objectives of REACH II were to 1) identify and reduce modifiable risk factors among diverse family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's Disease or a related disorder, 2) enhance the quality of care of the care recipients, and 3) enhance the well-being of the caregivers. This study built on the existing infrastructure and results obtained from its parent multi-site feasibility study, REACH I. REACH I explored the effectiveness of different interventions to reduce burden and distress of family caregivers in six participating sites. Detailed analyses of these data suggested specific components of the REACH I interventions that may be efficacious in improving caregiver outcomes.
The REACH II intervention sought to increase caregiver knowledge, skills, and well being while enhancing support to the caregiver. The intervention consisted of 10 home visits by trained staff plus 5 pre-planned contacts with trained staff through an innovative computer/telephone technology system over a six- month period. The technology also provided access to formal services, family, and other caregivers. The intervention process involved administering a risk appraisal following the baseline battery, prioritizing the risk areas, and then using a stepped intervention approach that addresses risk in multiple domains.
The study design was a multi-site; two group randomized clinical trial, comparing the active intervention to an information only control. Unlike REACH I, which implemented a variety of active interventions at 6 different sites, this study implemented the same two interventions at each of five participating sites: Birmingham, Memphis, Miami, Palo Alto, and Philadelphia.
National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices Website
Current Translational Efforts
- REACH-OUT
Dr. Linda Nichols talks about the REACH VA Project - Podcast HERE
