Senior Companion Program for Aging

Overseen By Vivian W Crumlish, MEd

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: William Evans

Disqualifiers: Underage, Not homebound, Unsafe home, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 7

Duration: 18 months

1040 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Senior Companion Programs (SCP) facilitate partnerships between community volunteers and local homebound seniors. Seniors served by the SCP will be provided with a companion who will conduct weekly visits with them, help with meal preparation or deliveries, provide transportation, assist with simple housekeeping, and socialize with the client amongst other tasks. These services are directed towards helping the senior client continue living independently in their own home instead of moving into an assisted living or nursing home. The SCP model is being evaluated to determine the impact of the services on the client's overall well-being and independent living status.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on providing companionship and support services rather than medical interventions.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Senior Companion Program for Aging?

Research shows that the Senior Companion Program (SCP) can improve the quality of life for frail older adults, with significant benefits observed at 3 months. Although the positive effects were less pronounced at 9 months, the program is considered a cost-effective way to support older adults in the community. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the Senior Companion Program treatment different from other treatments for aging?

The Senior Companion Program is unique because it involves senior volunteers providing companionship and assistance to frail older adults, which helps improve their quality of life and reduce feelings of loneliness and depression. Unlike traditional medical treatments, this program focuses on social support and community engagement, offering a low-cost way to enhance well-being through personal interaction. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Research Team

William N Evans, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Notre Dame

Sarah Kroeger, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Notre Dame

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for seniors who are isolated, lack social support, or whose caregivers need a break. To join, they must be at least 21+ or 65+ years old depending on the agency's rules and need help to keep living at home safely. It's not for those under age limits or in unsafe home conditions.

Inclusion Criteria

"Good fit for services" is up to the agency based on how they typically admit clients for services. Some factors that enter into the definition of a good fit include: the client must either be isolated, lacking in social ties that assist them, or their caregivers need respite services, in which case we provide them the same services as an isolated individual. Volunteer assistance must be vital to the client remaining in the home.

I am either 21+ or 65+ years old and my living situation qualifies me for services.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants under the age requirement for a given home will be excluded as will those who are deemed not a good fit for services. This might include clients who are not homebound or who's homes are in such poor condition that an agency doesn't feel the visiting companion would be safe.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive a senior companion who conducts weekly visits and assists with daily tasks

18 months

Weekly visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in life satisfaction, mortality, and independent living status

18 months

Surveys at 6 and 18 months post-randomization

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Senior Companion Program

Trial Overview The study tests if Senior Companion Programs (SCP), where volunteers visit and assist with tasks like meals and housekeeping, can improve well-being and help seniors live independently at home instead of moving to assisted facilities.

Participant Groups

Group I: Senior Companion Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Receives a companion to socialize with them, help with daily tasks, etc.

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Referred to other services available in the community

Senior Companion Program is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Senior Companion Program for:

• Social Support
• Independent Living Assistance

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

William Evans

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

1,000+

Catholic Charities

Collaborator

Trials

5

Recruited

4,100+

Health Association of Niagara County, Inc.

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

1,000+

Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

1,000+

Georgia Southern University

Collaborator

Trials

8

Recruited

2,500+

The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

1,000+

Positive Maturity, Inc.

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

1,000+

Findings from Research

The Senior Companion Program (SCP) significantly improved quality of life outcomes for frail clients at 3 months, indicating its effectiveness in enhancing client well-being.

While family members of SCP clients experienced only modest benefits, the program is recognized as a low-cost solution for supporting community-based frail older adults, which may encourage its expansion under the USA Freedom Corps Initiative.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of the senior companion program on quality of life outcomes for frail older adults and their families. Rabiner, DJ., Scheffler, S., Koetse, E., et al.[2022]

The Senior Companion Program (SCP) significantly improved quality of life outcomes for frail clients at 3 months, indicating its effectiveness in enhancing client well-being.

While family members of SCP clients experienced only modest benefits, the program is recognized as a low-cost solution for supporting community-based frail older adults, which may encourage its expansion under the USA Freedom Corps Initiative.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Impact of the Senior Companion Program on Quality of Life Outcomes for Frail Older Adults and Their Families. Rabiner, DJ., Scheffler, S., Koetse, E., et al.[2019]

The Care for Seniors model significantly increased the number of geriatrician referrals from 36 visits in the two years before the program to 73 visits in 2011-12, indicating improved access to specialist care for older adults.

The program also led to a higher percentage of older adults being discharged home from the hospital (from 19% to 31%) and a reduction in average hospital stay length, suggesting enhanced care coordination and integration for frail seniors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rural geriatric glue: a nurse practitioner-led model of care for enhancing primary care for frail older adults within an ecosystem approach. Prasad, S., Dunn, W., Hillier, LM., et al.[2014]

The Multipurpose Senior Services Project (MSSP) significantly improved outcomes for aged Medicaid recipients by increasing longevity and reducing both nursing home and hospital days, particularly benefiting the frailest clients.

MSSP demonstrated cost-effectiveness by saving public service dollars, especially for the Federal government, through lower Medicare expenditures, while in-home supportive services were identified as the most productive non-medical service within the program.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The comparative evaluation of California's multipurpose senior services project. Miller, LS., Clark, ML., Clark, WF.[2019]

In a study involving 202 high-risk hospitalized patients aged 75 and older, adherence to care transition recommendations after inpatient geriatric consultations was 71%, indicating a moderate level of compliance with suggested care improvements.

Despite the adherence rate, there was no significant difference in adherence between patients who were readmitted within 30 days and those who were not, suggesting that simply following recommendations may not directly reduce readmission rates.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adherence to care transitions recommendations among high-risk hospitalized older patients. Reyes, B., Diaz, S., Engstrom, G., et al.[2021]

The Senior Companionship Program (SCP) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center significantly increases medical students' contact time with older adults, tripling their experience in community settings compared to required experiences alone.

Participating students report that the SCP fosters positive attitudes towards older adults and is a valuable use of their time, highlighting the program's effectiveness in enhancing student learning and community engagement.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A partnership between the University of Nebraska College of Medicine and the community. Hinners, C., Potter, J.[2006]

A pilot curriculum was developed to provide academic training for paid companions working with older clients, focusing on communication skills and understanding the aging process.

Preliminary analysis showed that companions who received this training reported increased job satisfaction and a greater sense of self-fulfillment, highlighting the benefits of grounding in gerontological theory.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Gerontology for companions: a model curriculum. Wolf, MA., Raisz, HM.[2006]

The Senior Companion Program (SCP) positively impacts both volunteers and clients, as evidenced by interviews with 34 volunteers and 32 clients, showing large social networks and low levels of depression and loneliness.

Qualitative analysis revealed key benefits such as companionship, increased independence, reduced anxiety, and a sense of fulfillment for volunteers, highlighting the program's effectiveness in enhancing well-being for both parties.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating the Senior Companion Program: a mixed-method approach. Butler, SS.[2022]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of the senior companion program on quality of life outcomes for frail older adults and their families. [2022]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Impact of the Senior Companion Program on Quality of Life Outcomes for Frail Older Adults and Their Families. [2019]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rural geriatric glue: a nurse practitioner-led model of care for enhancing primary care for frail older adults within an ecosystem approach. [2014]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The comparative evaluation of California's multipurpose senior services project. [2019]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adherence to care transitions recommendations among high-risk hospitalized older patients. [2021]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A partnership between the University of Nebraska College of Medicine and the community. [2006]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Gerontology for companions: a model curriculum. [2006]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating the Senior Companion Program: a mixed-method approach. [2022]