Supporting Bereaved Caregivers: Adaptation of the REACH Behavioral Intervention

Abstract

The brief REACH VA intervention for bereaved caregivers, adapted from the REACH VA (Resources for Enhancing All Caregivers' Health) behavioral caregiver intervention, was piloted October 2023 to March 2025. REACH is structured and standardized to focus on information about grief and bereavement, support, and physical and emotional well-being through problem solving, cognitive reframing, and stress management, but targeted to each bereaved caregiver’s specific needs through a Risk Assessment. An accompanying Notebook provides information on practical issues, understanding grief, grief activators, and moving from the caregiver role. In the pilot, 207 caregivers participated in four one-hour sessions with a trained and certified program coach. On average, caregivers reported significant improvements in depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, and symptoms of anger (all p < .001). Benefits reported were emotional validation, the coach, and new skills. In February 2025, through the Department of Veterans Affairs Caregiver Support Program, each VA facility implemented the program.

Keywords

veterans survivors grief education brief

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