Support Program for Chinese American Caregivers Helping with Feeding Decisions for Older Adults with Advanced Dementia

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate whether a culturally adapted decision aid called the Chinese version of Making Choices Feeding Options for Patients with Dementia Decision Aid CMCFODA can help Chinese American family caregivers make feeding-related decisions for patients with moderate or advanced dementia. The study addresses challenges faced by caregivers due to cultural factors, lack of advance directives, limited dementia understanding, and unclear knowledge about tube feeding risks and benefits. This study seeks to improve decision-making support in end-of-life dementia care for this population. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives usual care including information from healthcare providers, followed by an electronic version of the decision aid after data collection. The other group receives both electronic and paper versions of CMCFODA along with individualized decision coaching within two weeks, delivered through a secure video conferencing platform. The study uses a parallel design to compare these approaches. Caregivers will be evaluated at baseline, one month, and three months after the intervention. Assessments include measuring decision conflict, knowledge of feeding options and dementia, and expectations about tube feeding. Additional outcomes include communication frequency with family and healthcare providers, feeding preferences, preparation for decision-making, feasibility of recruitment and retention, and acceptability of the decision aid and coaching. The total study duration extends until July 2028, with follow-up visits scheduled accordingly.

A Culturally Adapted Decision Aid Intervention to Support Chinese American Dementia Caregivers in Feeding-Related Decisions