Assessment of Hyperphosphorylated Tau PET Binding in Primary Progressive Aphasia and Frontotemporal...
Primary Progressive AphasiaBehavioral Variant of Frontotemporal Dementia2 moreThis study is designed to learn more about overall tau burden in the brain of patients with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) and Frontotemporal Dementia.
Dementia and Disability Simulation for College Nursing Students' Senior Activity Facilitation Skills...
DementiaThis study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a dementia and disability simulation (DDS) program on dementia knowledge, attitude, empathy, and activity design skills for seniors among college nursing students.
Improving How People Living With Dementia Are Selected for Care Coordination
DementiaMany people living with dementia (PLWD) and their care partners may benefit from the assistance of a care coordinator, a member of the medical team who facilitates communication among all the people involved. However, care coordinators' time is limited, and there is uncertainty about which patients should be selected to receive their help. This pragmatic clinical trial embedded in an accountable care organization will determine the comparative effectiveness of two approaches for assigning care coordinators to PLWD.
Pair 2 Care: Peer Support for Caregivers of African Americans Living With Dementia
Family CaregiverDementia1 moreThe purpose of this study is to test a peer support intervention for caregivers who are caring for a loved one living with dementia.
Palliative Care for Persons With Late-stage Alzheimer's and Related Dementias and Their Caregivers...
DementiaDementia8 moreMillions of Americans have late-stage Alzheimer's and related dementias (ADRD), causing suffering due to loss of awareness of self and family, progressive dependency, physical and neuropsychiatric symptoms, and physical, emotional and financial strain for caregivers. Investigators now propose a multi-site randomized clinical trial of the ADRD Palliative Care (ADRD-PC) program for persons with late-stage ADRD and their family caregivers, triggered during hospitalization. Investigators aim to learn if this program of dementia-specific palliative care, standardized caregiver education, and transitional care is effective to reduce burdensome hospital transfers, improve symptom treatment and control, augment supportive services, and reduce nursing home transitions for patients, and to improve caregiver outcomes of communication, shared decision-making and distress.
The Use of PARO to Decrease Agitation in Persons With Dementia and/or Delirium
DementiaDeliriumThis Clinical trial tests the efficacy of using the PARO robotic seal to decrease agitation in hospitalized older adults with dementia and/or delirium. This clinical trial also tests the efficacy of the cleaning protocol for the robot. This randomized control trial includes a one hour interaction with the PARO robot two days in a row compared to an attention control with the researcher sitting with the participant in their room for one hour two days in a row. The outcomes being evaluated include both qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data from videotaped interactions with the persons interacting with the PARO Robot include episodes of agitation, and emotional responses to the robot via facial expressions. The quantitative outcomes include the Agitation, use of 1:1 sitters, use of psychoactive medications and length of stay.
Effectiveness and Implementation of Montessori Approaches in Person-Centered Care Within VA
Dementia or a Related DisorderMental Health Diagnoses1 moreBackground: Addressing behavioral and neuropsychiatric symptoms of Veterans with dementia and serious mental illness (SMI) such as schizophrenia can be challenging for staff in VA long-term care settings, called Community Living Centers or CLCs. These behaviors of distress (agitation, aggression, and mood disturbance) are not just associated with staff stress and burnout; they also hasten residents' functional decline, decrease quality of life, and increase mortality. Staff training in non-pharmacological interventions can be effective. Yet systems barriers, task-based care models, and time constraints often result in staff employing "quicker," less effective strategies. Montessori Approaches to Person-Centered Care for VA (MAP-VA)- a staff training, intervention, and delivery toolkit- developed in collaboration with VA operational partners, Veterans, and frontline CLC staff is positioned to respond to this challenge. The investigators' prior work shows probable impacts on CLC quality indicators at the individual and unit level (e.g., psychotropic medications, depressive symptoms, weight loss, falls, pain). The goal of this study is to evaluate the MAP-VA program and necessary supports for a successful implementation at 8 VA CLCs. Significance/ Innovation: VHA's Modernization Plan focuses on empowering front-line staff to lead quality improvement efforts like the ones taught through MAP-VA. MAP-VA is distinct from existing interventions in its: 1) application to Veterans with a range of diagnoses and cognitive abilities; 2) emphasis on pairing practical skill-building for staff with overcoming system-level barriers that inhibit person-centered care; and 3) engagement of all staff rather than a reliance on provider-level champions. Yet, MAP-VA is a complex intervention that requires participation of multiple stakeholder groups, making implementation facilitation necessary. To date, no studies have evaluated MAP implementation success in operational settings (community or VA) and sustainability is rarely examined. Aims: This 4-year study will examine both the effectiveness of the MAP-VA program on resident outcomes, person-centered care practices, and organizational culture as well as an evaluation of the implementation barriers to adopting MAP-VA in a sustainable way over a 12 month period. Staff and residents at 8 CLCs will participate in the study.
An Electronic Clinical Decision Support Tool to Reduce Low-value Antipsychotic Prescriptions
Alzheimer DiseaseDementia Alzheimers1 moreThe goal of this study will be to design, implement and test the impact of a quality improvement (QI) intervention that uses an EHR CDS tool among physicians newly ordering an antipsychotic medication for older adults with ADRD. The study team hypothesizes that the intervention will reduce each participating clinician's pill days per patient prescribed.
CommunityRx-Dementia
Health Related Social Needs (HRSN)Caregivers of home-dwelling people with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias (ADRD) are one of the most rapidly growing populations in the United States. Among ADRD caregivers with unmet health-related social needs, this study aims to evaluate the effects of the CRx-D intervention versus usual care on caregiver self-efficacy.
Assessing a Novel Virtual Environment That Assists With Activities of Daily Living
DementiaAlzheimer Disease1 moreThis Phase 1 study looks at how a new videogame-based program can help residents and care partners prepare for ADLs in a fun way with minimal risk, potentially reducing escalating problems associated with ADL completions.