Improving oral hygiene for residents with dementia in assisted living
Adapting an Evidence-Based Program that Improves Oral Hygiene and Health for Assisted Living Residents with Dementia
This study is all about helping caregivers in assisted living facilities take better care of the mouths of residents with dementia, making it easier for them to help with brushing teeth and caring for dentures, which can help prevent serious health issues like pneumonia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10470713 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the oral health of residents with dementia in assisted living facilities by adapting an existing program known as Mouth Care Without a Battle (MCWB). The program aims to change caregivers' attitudes and behaviors towards oral hygiene, making it easier for them to assist residents with daily mouth care tasks such as tooth brushing and denture maintenance. By implementing this intervention, the research seeks to reduce the incidence of aspiration pneumonia, a common risk associated with poor oral hygiene in this population. The study will involve training caregivers and monitoring the health outcomes of residents over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are residents of assisted living facilities who have dementia or cognitive impairments.
Not a fit: Patients who do not reside in assisted living facilities or who do not have cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the oral health and overall well-being of residents with dementia, reducing serious health complications.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success with similar approaches in nursing homes, indicating a strong potential for positive outcomes in assisted living settings as well.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zimmerman, Sheryl — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Zimmerman, Sheryl
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.