Improving decision-making support for people with Alzheimer's and related dementias
Official title: Adapting supported decision making to promote wellbeing and improve health outcomes for persons living with Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease related dementias
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11105971 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work explores how a method called 'supported decision making' can help people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias make their own health choices and feel better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $699,060 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG077111-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11105971 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this type of intervention would be adults living with Alzheimer's disease or Alzheimer's disease-related dementias who wish to maintain their involvement in personal decision-making.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are in very advanced stages of dementia and are unable to express their preferences or engage in structured agreements may not directly benefit from this specific intervention.
What this research studies
When someone has Alzheimer's or a related dementia, making decisions can become challenging, and often a care partner and clinician are involved. This project looks at 'supported decision making,' a structured way for you to work with a trusted person to make choices about your health. It involves creating an agreement that outlines the areas where you want help and the kind of support you prefer. This approach aims to help you maintain your independence and feel more in control of your life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide a valuable tool to help individuals with Alzheimer's and related dementias participate more actively in their healthcare decisions, potentially improving their well-being and health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Supported decision making has shown promise in helping young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, suggesting its potential for adaptation to other populations.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Largent, Emily — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Largent, Emily
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Supported decision making to boost wellbeing for people with Alzheimer's and related dementias
This project looks at a way to help people with Alzheimer's and related dementias make better decisions with support from trusted others.
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Understanding and improving care for people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
A program of research to help doctors, caregivers, and patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias make better health choices and get better care.
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Improving decision-making for personalized care in Alzheimer's and diabetes patients
This study is all about finding better ways for older adults with Alzheimer's and diabetes to work together with their doctors to make personalized care decisions, using new technologies to improve communication and teamwork.
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How Alzheimer's disease affects decision-making in mice
This study looks at how Alzheimer's disease affects the way mice make decisions, especially as they get older and considering their gender, to find ways that might help improve decision-making skills in people with Alzheimer's.
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Understanding how culture influences decision-making in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
This study looks at how different cultures influence the experiences of people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers, aiming to create helpful tools that make it easier for everyone involved in their care to understand and manage the condition better.
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How Decision Making Changes in Early Alzheimer's Disease
This research explores how older adults make decisions, particularly in financial and health matters, and how these abilities might change with early signs of Alzheimer's disease.
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.