Helping nursing home staff talk respectfully to people with Alzheimer's and related dementias
Adapting the CHATO Communication Intervention for Diverse Nursing Home Communities
This project adapts an online staff training to reduce baby‑talk and improve respectful communication so nursing home residents with Alzheimer's and related dementias feel less distressed, with attention to Black and Hispanic communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11167586 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As someone living with dementia or a family member, this project aims to make everyday interactions in nursing homes calmer and more respectful by changing how staff speak. The team will adapt a proven three‑session communication course (CHATO) so it fits nursing homes with diverse residents and busy staff. Nursing home staff will complete the online modules and researchers will track whether staff stop using 'elderspeak' and whether residents show fewer behavioral and psychological symptoms like agitation or withdrawal. The project also watches for practical outcomes such as reduced use of psychoactive medications and lower staff stress and turnover.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias and the staff who care for them, especially in facilities serving large Black and Hispanic populations.
Not a fit: People with dementia who live outside nursing homes, are in facilities that do not take part, or whose communication needs are unrelated to staff speech patterns may not benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, residents could experience less agitation and withdrawal, fewer inappropriate psychoactive medications, and more respectful daily interactions.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier in‑person CHAT reduced elderspeak and resident behavioral symptoms, and the online CHATO version improved staff knowledge and confidence, so this work builds on proven approaches.
Where this research is happening
Kansas City, United States
- University of Kansas Medical Center — Kansas City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Williams, Kristine N. — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Williams, Kristine N.
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.