Understanding how older adults with Alzheimer's make decisions about living at home
Official title: Decision Making and Implementation of Aging-in-Place/Long Term Care Plans among Older Adults
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10586141 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how older adults with Alzheimer's make choices about staying in their homes as they age, and it uses a helpful tool to guide them in planning for their future needs so they can live safely and comfortably.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2019 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $713,689 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG058777-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10586141 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 21 and above who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with cognitive impairments or who do not wish to age in place may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how older adults, particularly those with Alzheimer's disease, make decisions about aging in place and the factors that influence these choices. It focuses on the cognitive changes associated with Alzheimer's, functional loss, and the impact of social and environmental factors on their decision-making process. The study utilizes a tool called PlanYourLifespan (PYL) to help older adults plan for their future home-based needs, ensuring they can remain in their homes safely as their condition progresses. By educating participants about their health and support needs, the research aims to empower them to make informed decisions about their living arrangements.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help older adults with Alzheimer's disease maintain their independence and quality of life by facilitating better planning for aging in place.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with similar decision-making tools for aging in place, indicating a promising approach to this issue.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lindquist, Lee a — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Lindquist, Lee a
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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.