Improving communication for dementia care in diverse nursing homes
Official title: Adapting the CHATO Communication Intervention for Diverse Nursing Home Communities
Funded at University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-10793764 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 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 start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $772,273 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG085177-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10793764 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults with dementia, particularly those from Black and Hispanic communities residing in nursing homes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have dementia or are not residing in nursing homes may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
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.
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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.