Understanding how disasters affect older adults with dementia and their healthcare needs
Official title: Healthcare use among older adults with dementia after large-scale disasters
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10757049 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how big disasters affect older adults with Alzheimer's and similar conditions, and it aims to find ways to help them stay at home and get the care they need without going to the hospital too often.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $156,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R03AG076815-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10757049 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 may be affected by large-scale disasters.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without dementia or those who do not reside in areas prone to large-scale disasters may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of large-scale disasters on older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), focusing on how these events disrupt their daily lives and healthcare needs. It aims to develop strategies that enable these individuals to continue living at home, minimizing hospital visits and reliance on long-term care. The study will analyze the role of home health care services in supporting these patients during and after disasters, assessing their effectiveness in maintaining health and well-being. By examining Medicare claims data, the research seeks to identify patterns in healthcare use and outcomes for older adults with ADRD following such events.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved healthcare strategies that help older adults with dementia maintain their independence and quality of life after disasters.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that home health care can significantly improve outcomes for older adults, suggesting that this approach may be effective in disaster scenarios as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bell, Susan Anne — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Bell, Susan Anne
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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.