SELF-PERCEIVED PREPAREDNESS, AWARENESS OF RESOURCES, AND DESIRE TO INSTITUTIONALIZE AMONG CAREGIVERS OF VETERANS
2024

Caregiver Preparedness and Awareness of Resources for Veterans

Sample size: 2925 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Desir Marianne, Garcia-Davis Sandra, Munoz Richard, Pugh Mary Jo, Trivedi Ranak, Leykum Luci, Dang Stuti

Primary Institution: Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System

Hypothesis

Caregiver awareness of VA caregiver support resources is associated with feelings of preparedness.

Conclusion

Increased awareness of VA resources may help caregivers feel more prepared and reduce their desire to institutionalize care for Veterans.

Supporting Evidence

  • 62.6% of caregivers felt very prepared for caregiving tasks.
  • Caregivers aware of at least one VA resource were 33% more likely to feel very prepared.
  • Caregivers feeling very prepared were 39% less likely to desire institutionalization.

Takeaway

Caregivers of Veterans who know about support resources feel more ready to help, and those who feel ready are less likely to want to send Veterans to a facility.

Methodology

Analyzed HERO CARE survey responses and conducted chi-square tests, t-tests, and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Participant Demographics

Caregivers were mostly non-Hispanic white (73.3%), female (83.3%), and ≥ 65 years old (72.8%).

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Confidence Interval

95% CI: 1.1, 1.6; 95% CI: 0.5-0.8

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.1093

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