(601662) Engaging Caregivers in Research to Improve Health and Community Reintegration Outcomes for Veterans and Families

Friday, November 8

9:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Location: Continental A, Lobby Level

Presenter(s)

Gala True, PhD

Investigator
South Central MIRECC, Department of Veterans Affairs
New Orleans, Louisiana
Bridget Cotner, PhD

Health Science Specialist
James A Haley Veterans Hospital
Tampa, Florida
Noelle Carlozzi, PhD

Associate Professor
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Christine Melillo, PhD, RN

Health Science Specialist
James A. Haley Veterans Hospital
Tampa, Florida
Bridget Hahm, MA, MPH

Supervisory Health Science Specialist
James A. Haley Veterans Hospital
Tampa, Florida

Moderator(s)

Christina Dillahunt-Aspillaga, PhD, CRC, CVE, CLCP, CBIST,CIRS

Associate Professor; Research Affiliate
USF - RMHC, Veterans Affairs, James A. Haley Hospital Rehabilitation Outcomes Research Center
Tampa, Florida

Informal caregivers provide essential care and support to Veterans living with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other co-morbid conditions. These military caregivers experience significant burden including strains on their physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. Many also gain new skills and sense of purpose. Military caregivers have insights into gaps in needed services and strategies to improve post-deployment care and community reintegration (CR) for Veterans and families. This symposium highlights methods and findings from studies that have engaged military caregivers in CR research, with a focus on sharing new measures, innovative approaches, and best practices for caregiver-engaged research.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participant will be able to demonstrate the importance of engaging caregivers in research focused on community reintegration.
Upon completion, participant will be able to summarize and assess a variety of methods and approaches used to engage caregivers in research.
Upon completion, participant will be able to consider possible applications of caregiver-engaged research focused on community reintegration with other populations.