Cristina C. Hendrix, DNS, GNP-BC, FNP

Project Goal: The TLC program is an NP/PA-led transitional program that supports the hospital-to-home transition of older veterans who are at high risk for rehospitalization, emergency
department visits, or institutionalization. Based on Naylor’s Transitional Care model, the TLC
program will identify hospitalized older adults at high risk for complicated home discharge.
Thereafter, the TLC NP/PA will conduct hospital visit prior to discharge as well as home visits
after hospital discharge. Other TLC partners for home visit include social worker and
occupational therapist. Through the TLC program, we aim to reduce rate of rehospitalization,
hospital days of care, emergency department visits and institutional care of patients; and
promote preparedness and reduce burden among informal caregivers. We also intend to
increase patient’s and caregiver’s satisfaction towards the VA health care.

Project Goal: The specific aims of the study are to (1) determine the feasibility of conducting an
individualized, tailored training program for informal caregivers of frail older veterans prior to
their hospital discharge and (2) determine the impact of this training program on self-efficacy
and caregiving preparedness on informal caregivers of frail older veterans. As a secondary aim,
data will be collected on patients’: physical symptom intensity and distress and use of
emergency services (ED) or rehospitalization within 14 and 30 days of hospital discharge.

Project Goal: To improve the quality and safety of medical care for older adults in America,
health care providers must learn to work in interdisciplinary teams across a spectrum of settings and systems. The Duke Geriatrics Education Center (GEC) will address this challenge by creating an interdisciplinary faculty teaching team, which will implement and disseminate a curriculum to teach students from multiple disciplines about care of the elderly in a variety of settings.

Mentoring goal: Refine the caregiver intervention and psychometric properties of the Cancer Caregiver Self-Efficacy Scale in Symptom Management.