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Study for Older Adult Family Caregivers of Someone with Advanced Illness

Grief is a normal response to any significant loss. As we get older, we can experience many significant losses and changes in life (examples: career, financial setbacks, the death of a close family member or friend). Taking care of a sick loved one can also add to a sense of loss. This study seeks to gain a better understanding of how we can best help people caring for a sick loved one experiencing stress, grief, or loss.

What is the purpose of this research?

  • To compare two different kinds of support for older adults caring for a loved one, who are experiencing stress, grief, or emotional distress. One program offers information and support, and the other focuses on the mind-body connection.
  • We are interested in learning which program works better, what makes people more likely to respond, and how each program influences thought patterns and perceptions related to the stress of grief and losses over time.

You may qualify if:

  • You are currently caring for a family member/spouse with a serious advanced illness.
  • You are older than 60 years of age.
  • You are experiencing high levels of grief and emotional distress.

What will you be asked to do?

We are very interested in hearing from older adults who are caring for a family member/spouse with a serious advanced illness, and who are experiencing high levels of grief and emotional distress.

  • You will be asked to complete surveys about feelings of grief and loss, as well as your physical and emotional situation upon enrollment.
  • You will be randomly assigned to one of two support programs; one consists of information and support, and the other focuses on the mind-body connection.
  • You will receive 4 sessions with a licensed clinical social worker, each lasting 1-1.5 hours.
  • Additional surveys will be done immediately after completion of the final session, and at 6 and 13 months post-bereavement. You may also be asked to participate in an interview about your perceptions and experiences with grief after completion of the support program.

Are there any risks?

Some aspects of the sessions with the social worker may temporarily increase your emotional distress as you think about stressful aspects of your experience and the future. Some of the topics that will be discussed (grief, loss, other emotions) may be distressing for some people. However, the benefits of this research are likely to exceed the risks.

Will I get any benefit from being in the study?

Participating in this study may improve stress and grief symptoms or reduce levels of emotional distress over time. Others caring for a family member may benefit in the future from what we learn in this research study.

You will receive $25 following completion of data at each timepoint, for a max of $100.

For more information or to complete an eligibility screening:

https://redcap2.mayo.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=9H83LEM7NJYRLYXL

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