Supported decision making to boost wellbeing 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-11377209 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at a way to help people with Alzheimer's and related dementias make better decisions with support from trusted others.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $696,253 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG077111-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377209 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are adults with Alzheimer's or related dementias who have a care partner involved in decision making.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience direct benefit if they do not engage with the decision-making process or if the disease progresses rapidly.
What this research studies
Older adults with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias may rely on care partners to help with choices about treatment and daily life. The study tests a structured agreement called supported decision making to guide who helps and how help is provided. Researchers will examine how this approach affects decision quality, communication with clinicians, and overall wellbeing in real-world care settings. The work is led by clinicians and researchers at the University of Pennsylvania to translate this approach into practice for patients and families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make decision-making clearer and reduce stress for patients and caregivers, improving health outcomes and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in younger populations with disabilities suggests that supported decision making can improve self-determination and collaboration in care.
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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Improving decision-making support for people with Alzheimer's and related dementias
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.
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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.