Improving Alzheimer's Special Care Units in Nursing Homes for All Residents
Alzheimer's Special Care Units in Nursing Homes: Racial and Ethnic Disparities, Resident Outcomes, and State Policies
This project looks at how special care units for Alzheimer's disease in nursing homes help residents, especially focusing on making sure everyone, including Black and Hispanic residents, can access these benefits.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178691 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project aims to understand why Black and Hispanic residents with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) might have less access to special care units (SCUs) in nursing homes. We know that SCUs offer better care and improve outcomes for residents with ADRD. Researchers will use national Medicare claims and resident assessment data, along with unique surveys from Ohio, to explore if this unequal access contributes to differences in health outcomes. The project also seeks to identify how state policies and regulations influence the availability of these beneficial SCUs. Our goal is to find ways to improve access and reduce disparities in care for all residents.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research focuses on nursing home residents with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias, particularly those from Black and Hispanic communities.
Not a fit: Patients not residing in nursing homes or those without Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias would not directly benefit from this specific policy-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to policies that ensure more equitable access to high-quality Alzheimer's care units for all nursing home residents, potentially improving health outcomes and reducing disparities.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary analysis by the researchers suggests that special care units can reduce disparities in hospitalization rates and pressure ulcers, indicating a foundation for this approach.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Huiwen — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Xu, Huiwen
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.