Improving palliative care for older adults with dementia who speak limited English

Understanding and Improving Inequities in Palliative Care for Older Adults with Advanced Dementia and Limited-English Proficiency: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation

NIH-funded research University of Washington · NIH-11128516

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Washington NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-11128516 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias who have limited proficiency in English.

Not a fit: Patients who are not affected by Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, or who are proficient in English, may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Seattle, 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's disease and related dementiaAlzheimer's disease and related disordersAlzheimer's disease or a related dementiaAlzheimer's disease or a related disorderAlzheimer's disease or related dementia
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.