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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine how a volunteer companion can help homebound seniors live independently at home instead of moving to assisted living facilities. Seniors will either receive a companion for weekly visits to assist with tasks like meal preparation and socializing, or they will be referred to other community services. Seniors who are isolated, have few social ties, or need extra support to stay at home might be suitable candidates for this trial. The goal is to evaluate whether these companion services improve seniors' overall well-being and ability to live independently. As an unphased trial, this study provides seniors with an opportunity to explore innovative support options to enhance their independence and well-being.

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 prior data suggests that the Senior Companion Program is safe for seniors?

Research has shown that the Senior Companion Program (SCP) is safe and well-received by participants. Studies have examined the program's impact on seniors' quality of life. One study found that seniors in SCP experienced improved quality of life after three months, suggesting the program is beneficial and harmless.

The program includes volunteers who assist seniors with daily tasks and social activities. No reports of problems or safety issues have emerged from these activities, indicating that the Senior Companion Program is a safe choice for those interested in joining. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Senior Companion Program because it offers a unique, personalized approach to supporting aging individuals by pairing them with a companion for socialization and assistance with daily tasks. Unlike traditional options such as medication management or professional caregiving services, this program emphasizes human connection and emotional support, which could lead to improved mental health and quality of life for seniors. By focusing on companionship rather than clinical intervention, the program could provide a more holistic and accessible form of support for older adults.

What evidence suggests that the Senior Companion Program is effective for improving seniors' well-being and independent living?

Research has shown that the Senior Companion Program (SCP), which participants in this trial may receive, can improve the quality of life for frail older adults, with noticeable benefits in just three months. Regular interaction with companions often boosts participants' emotional well-being. The program also helps seniors maintain independence by assisting with daily tasks like cooking and transportation. Studies have found that this support enables seniors to continue living at home rather than moving to assisted living facilities. Overall, the SCP is associated with greater independence and an enhanced sense of companionship for seniors. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

William N Evans, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Notre Dame

Sarah Kroeger, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Notre Dame

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

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 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]

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 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 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]

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]

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]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10094539/

The Senior Companion Program Plus (SCP Plus) We hypothesized that the SCP Plus will significantly reduce caregiving burden/stress and appraisal of problem behaviors, increase knowledge of ADRD, as well as ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6177105/

Exploration of Perceived Psychosocial Benefits of Senior ... Our results indicate that urban-dwelling, low-income older adult women experience many benefits from volunteering.

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/senior-companion-program-for-aging-f2da0

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.

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/6885208_Evaluating_the_Senior_Companion_Program

(PDF) Evaluating the Senior Companion Program PDF | This article reports on a mixed-method assessment of the Senior Companion Program (SCP), a federal program which provides volunteer opportunities.

5. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/13/1966

The Senior Companion Program Plus: An Innovative ... The results showed significant improvements in knowledge of Alzheimer's disease/dementia, one competence item, “It is clear to me how much care ...

6. ecfr.gov ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-XXV/part-2551

45 CFR Part 2551 -- Senior Companion Program The Senior Companion Program provides grants to qualified agencies and organizations for the dual purpose of engaging persons 55 and older.