Helping older adults with early Alzheimer’s make safe decisions about firearm ownership
Shared Decision-Making for Firearm Safety among Older Adults with early changes associated with Alzheimer’s Disease/Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias (AD/ADRD)
This study is looking at how we can help older adults with early signs of Alzheimer’s and related conditions talk about gun safety with their doctors, so they can make informed choices about keeping themselves safe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10399348 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on older adults experiencing early cognitive changes related to Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias (AD/ADRD), who are at increased risk for firearm-related suicide. It aims to implement a Shared Decision-Making (SDM) approach in primary care settings, allowing patients to actively participate in discussions about firearm safety, including storage and relinquishment. By integrating patients' preferences and understanding into the decision-making process, the research seeks to address a critical gap in clinical practice regarding firearm ownership among this vulnerable population.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults with early cognitive changes associated with Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementias who own or live with firearms.
Not a fit: Patients who do not own firearms or do not have cognitive impairments related to Alzheimer’s Disease may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of firearm-related suicides among older adults with cognitive impairments.
How similar studies have performed: While the approach of Shared Decision-Making is well-established in other areas of healthcare, this specific application to firearm safety among older adults with cognitive impairments is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Phelan, Elizabeth Anne — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Phelan, Elizabeth Anne
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.