REACH I/REACH II
The goal of the REACH I project is to evaluate the efficacy of family-based, in-home therapy intervention and family-based therapy augmented through the use of a computerized telephone system known as the Computer Telephone Integration System (CTIS). The CTIS system facilitates communication among family members (especially distant family members) and other caregivers, enhances communication between the therapist and caregiver, and provides access to formal support programs when needed.
The REACH I project seeks to determine the impact of the above interventions - namely the use of CTIS system - on improving family functioning and decreasing caregiver burden, distress, and depression in white-American and Cuban-American family caregivers of dementia patients.
What's more, REACH has joined forces with the Florida Dementia Education Projects to increase caregiver competence and reduce caregiver burden. The effort provides care coordination combined with technology for family caregivers (CG) of veterans with dementia; education and support to caregivers via screen phone.
REACH II
A multi-site project founded by the National Institutes on Aging and the National Institutes of Nursing Research, the REACH II has capitalized on the success of REACH I and looks at intervention to aid family caregivers of Alzheimer's patients.
This randomized clinical trial uses technology developed at the Miami site during REACH I and it is now being tested at a national level.
Funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research and with the collaboration of the University of Pittsburgh and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, CREATE has also embarked of a five-year project looking at psychosocial interventions for support people and survivors of spinal cord injuries.
For more information, log on to the CREATE website at:
www.med.miami.edu/psychiatry/create.html
