Supportive Care for Dementia

Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byVJ Periyakoil, MD

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Travel: May be covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: N/A

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Stanford University

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?Currently almost 5 million Americans suffer from the distressing symptoms related to dementia and this number that will triple by 2050. The overall goals of the proposed project are to evaluate, in community dwelling Alzheimer's Disease Research Center participants the benefits of a 12-month nurse-led early palliative intervention on symptoms, quality of life, health care resource use. The relevance of this research to public health is that there is an urgent need to improve the palliative care of persons with dementia living in the community. This study will contribute substantially to that effort.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for community-dwelling patients with dementia who are enrolled in the Stanford Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, along with their caregivers. It excludes those who are institutionalized, have severe dementia preventing them from responding to outcome measures, or lack a caregiver if unable to consent.

Exclusion Criteria

I have severe dementia and cannot respond to basic questions or instructions.

Treatment Details

The study tests a nurse-led supportive care assessment over 12 months aimed at improving symptoms and quality of life for people with dementia. The goal is also to reduce health care resource use by providing early palliative interventions.

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: intervention armExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

one random half of patients will receive enhanced usual care (usual care plus nurse-led supportive care intervention)

Group II: Usual careExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

one random half of patients will receive usual care