Improving palliative care for older adults with dementia who speak limited English
Official title: Understanding and Improving Inequities in Palliative Care for Older Adults with Advanced Dementia and Limited-English Proficiency: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11128516 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the difficulties older adults with Alzheimer's and similar conditions who don't speak much English face when trying to get palliative care, and it aims to find ways to make communication better and improve their quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $554,084 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG074253-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11128516 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias who have limited proficiency in English.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, or who are proficient in English, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the challenges faced by older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias who have limited-English proficiency in accessing palliative care. It aims to identify barriers at various levels, including patient, family, clinician, and community, that prevent these individuals from receiving appropriate care. By gathering both quantitative and qualitative data, the study seeks to develop culturally-sensitive interventions that enhance communication and improve the quality of life for these patients and their families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved palliative care experiences and outcomes for older adults with dementia who face language barriers.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been limited research specifically targeting this population, similar studies have shown promise in improving care for patients with language barriers in other contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sharma, Rashmi K. — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Sharma, Rashmi K.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Better palliative care for Black and Hispanic people with Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia
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-
Palliative care at home for people with dementia
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-
Improving palliative care for people with Parkinson's disease and related disorders in Black and Hispanic communities
This study is all about improving care for people with Parkinson's disease and Lewy Body Dementia, especially in Black and Hispanic communities, by understanding their specific needs and finding better ways to support them and their families.
-
Integrated palliative care for Parkinson’s disease and PD dementia: reducing low-value care and disparities
A study in people with Parkinson’s disease or Parkinson disease dementia tests how integrating palliative care can cut unnecessary hospitalizations and disparities.
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Home-based palliative care for patients with dementia
This study is looking at a new way to provide home care for older adults with dementia and their caregivers, using a team of trained professionals to help manage symptoms and make life easier for families.
-
Training assisted living staff to better care for patients with dementia
This study is all about helping staff at assisted living facilities learn how to have better conversations with people with Alzheimer's and their families about end-of-life care, so they can feel more comfortable and supported during this important time.
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.