Detecting elder mistreatment in home-based primary care for people with Alzheimer's and related dementias
Detection of Elder mistreatment Through Emergency Care Technicians - Revised for Primary Care (DETECT-RPC)
This project adapts a screening tool so home-based primary care teams can better spot signs of elder mistreatment in older adults, especially those recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11173702 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will adapt an existing emergency-care screening tool (DETECT) so it works during home-based primary care visits. They will collaborate with clinicians, patients, and caregivers to revise the questions and the way the tool is used in the home setting. The team will then pilot the revised tool to monitor for any harms and to see how well it identifies mistreatment among older adults with new Alzheimer's or related dementia diagnoses. The goal is to make screening practical in real home visits and to improve patient safety and support.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 or older receiving home-based primary care who have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, or their caregivers.
Not a fit: People not receiving home-based primary care or those without concerns about mistreatment are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the tool could help find abuse or neglect earlier and connect patients to services and supports that improve their safety and well-being.
How similar studies have performed: The DETECT tool has been used in emergency care settings before, but adapting it for home-based primary care and for people with dementia is a relatively new application.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burnett, Jason Lee — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Burnett, Jason Lee
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.