Helping older adults make medical decisions about serious illness and end-of-life care
POST Facilitation for Community Dwelling Older Adults with and without Dementia
This study is looking at how to help older adults, especially those with dementia or frailty, make important medical decisions about their care using a tool called POLST, and it will test if having a trained helper can make this process easier and more respectful of their wishes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10664868 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on advance care planning (ACP) for older adults, particularly those with dementia or frailty. It aims to improve the process of making medical decisions by using a tool called the Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST), which documents patients' preferences for medical treatment. The study will involve a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a non-physician facilitator in guiding patients through the POLST process, ensuring their values and preferences are respected. By enhancing the ACP process, the research seeks to empower older adults and their families in making informed decisions about their care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly those with dementia or complex medical conditions, who may need assistance in making medical decisions.
Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 21 or do not have serious illnesses or cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved decision-making support for older adults facing serious illnesses, ensuring their preferences are honored.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been many discussions around advance care planning, this specific approach using POLST facilitation has not been extensively tested in controlled trials, making it a novel investigation.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Torke, Alexia Mary — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Torke, Alexia Mary
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.