Improving palliative care for patients with late-stage Alzheimer's and their caregivers

Palliative Care for Persons with Late-stage Alzheimer's and Related Dementias and their Caregivers: a Randomized Clinical Trial

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10890647

This study is looking at how special palliative care can help people with late-stage Alzheimer's and their family caregivers during hospital stays, by comparing a personalized care approach to regular information, to see which one makes life better for everyone involved.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-10890647 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on providing specialized palliative care for individuals suffering from late-stage Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, along with support for their family caregivers. The study involves a randomized clinical trial where participants are divided into two groups: one receiving tailored palliative care and caregiver education, and the other receiving standard educational materials. The goal is to enhance symptom management and improve the quality of life for both patients and caregivers during hospitalizations. By utilizing a rapid screening system, the research aims to address the unique needs of this population effectively.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with late-stage Alzheimer's disease or related dementias who are currently hospitalized, along with their family caregivers.

Not a fit: Patients who are not in the late stages of Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, or those who are not hospitalized, may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the quality of life and symptom management for patients with late-stage Alzheimer's and provide essential support to their caregivers.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that palliative care can improve outcomes in serious illnesses, but this specific approach for late-stage Alzheimer's has not been extensively tested, making it a novel initiative.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, 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 disease dementiaAlzheimer syndromeAlzheimer's DiseaseAlzheimer's disease and related dementiaAlzheimer's disease and related disorders
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.