A Process Evaluation of Developing Older Adult Research Advisory Boards in Long-term Care Settings.

BACKGROUND: Enhancing the capacity of researchers, providers and older adults to collaborate in research is critical for promoting relevant, useful research findings. OBJECTIVES: The Sages in Every Setting project aimed to disseminate a flexible model for developing research advisory boards (RABs) comprised of older adults receiving long-term services and supports (LTSS) via partnerships between academic researchers and LTSS providers. METHODS: Process evaluation assessed the feasibility of using resources to develop RABs. Partners sought regular feedback from facilitators and RAB members, which was shared with the evaluator. The evaluator conducted regular debriefings with academic partners and observed some RAB meetings. LESSONS LEARNED: The development of RABs was impacted by pre-existing collaborations, characteristics of providers, flexible use of the resources, facilitator capacity, member capacity, and researcher capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Developing RABs was feasible. Long-term partnerships between research institutions and LTSS providers that serve diverse populations could improve successful dissemination of this model.

Supporting people with disabilities in managing individual budgets: the role of support brokers.

PURPOSE: Nationwide people with disabilities are self-directing their long-term care supports through individual budgets. Because these individuals may rely on a "support broker" to assist them in making and executing decisions regarding their budgets, the interactions between the participant and the support broker can influence participant autonomy. PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTING: Massachusetts piloted a program for 14 participants to receive individual budgets for home and community-based services. Central to this pilot were the participant-designated support brokers, including home care case managers and peer advocates. FINDINGS/CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of data on participants and support brokers indicated that the support brokers struggled with when, how, and how much to assist participants to self-direct. IMPLICATIONS FOR CASE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE: Case managers or other providers assuming the support broker's role will need proper training if they are to respond skillfully to challenging situations self-direction may bring.