Improving communication for dementia care in diverse nursing homes

Adapting the CHATO Communication Intervention for Diverse Nursing Home Communities

NIH-funded research University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-10793764

This study is all about helping nursing home staff communicate better with residents who have dementia, especially in diverse communities, so they can provide kinder and more effective care.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Kansas City, United States)
Project IDNIH-10793764 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing communication strategies among nursing home staff to better care for residents with dementia, particularly in ethnoracially diverse communities. It addresses the challenges posed by behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) that arise when residents cannot express their needs. The study aims to adapt a successful communication intervention, known as CHATO, to reduce the use of disrespectful speech patterns by staff, which have been shown to exacerbate BPSD. By training staff in effective communication techniques, the project seeks to improve the overall quality of care for individuals living with dementia.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults with dementia, particularly those from Black and Hispanic communities residing in nursing homes.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have dementia or are not residing in nursing homes may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved communication and care quality for dementia patients in nursing homes, reducing distress and enhancing their well-being.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in using communication interventions to reduce BPSD in dementia care, indicating that this approach has potential for positive outcomes.

Where this research is happening

Kansas City, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndromeAlzheimer's DiseaseAlzheimer's disease and related dementiaAlzheimer's disease and related disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.