Examining how special Medicare plans improve care for elderly patients with dementia
Official title: Assessing the Effects of Institutional Special Need Plan (I-SNP) Enrollment on Quality of Long-Term and End-of-Life care for Elderly Individuals with Dementia
Funded at Brown University · NIH-11078729 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special Medicare plans for nursing home residents with Alzheimer's and related dementias can improve their care and reduce hospital visits, especially during tough times like the COVID-19 pandemic, to help ensure they receive better support and less unnecessary treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $621,152 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG082098-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11078729 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are elderly individuals residing in nursing homes who have a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in nursing homes or do not have a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementias may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNPs) on the quality of long-term and end-of-life care for elderly individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It aims to understand how these specialized Medicare plans can reduce hospitalizations and improve care coordination in nursing homes, especially in the context of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. By comparing care quality before and after the pandemic, the study seeks to identify factors that contribute to the growth of I-SNP enrollment and how these plans impact patient outcomes. Patients may benefit from improved care practices and reduced aggressive treatments that offer minimal benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to enhanced quality of care and better health outcomes for elderly patients with dementia living in nursing homes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in improving care quality through specialized Medicare plans, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rahman, Md Momotazur — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Rahman, Md Momotazur
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating how DNA damage and repair mechanisms are altered in ALS and frontotemporal dementia.
This study is looking at how problems with DNA repair might contribute to conditions like ALS and frontotemporal dementia, and it’s testing ways to fix these issues in cells from patients to help develop new treatments.
-
Synthetic protein mimetics to treat Lewy Body Dementia
A new therapeutic approach using engineered protein-like molecules to block the harmful protein clumps that cause Lewy Body Dementia.
-
Dementia care staff study: adapting a US survey for use in many countries
A study is adapting and testing a survey for dementia care workers in the US, Brazil, Switzerland, and Ghana to help understand why workers stay in their jobs and how to improve care.
-
Dementia care staff study: adapting a survey for use in many countries
A multinational study will adapt and test a U.S. dementia-care worker survey in Brazil, Switzerland, and Ghana to help understand why staff stay in or leave long-term care settings.
-
Study of Dementia Care Staff in 4 Countries: Adapting Caregiver Surveys Across Cultures
A multinational project will adapt and test a dementia care worker survey so researchers can compare care environments across the US, Brazil, Switzerland, and Ghana.
-
New biomarkers to distinguish LATE from Alzheimer’s disease in dementia
A study to develop blood and CSF tests that can tell apart LATE from Alzheimer’s disease in people with dementia.
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.