Understanding loneliness and social isolation in people with dementia
Loneliness and Social Isolation in People with Dementia
['FUNDING_P01'] · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · NIH-11265779
This project looks at how feeling lonely and having fewer social contacts affects people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their caregivers.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_P01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11265779 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From the patient's perspective, researchers will measure both the feeling of loneliness and the objective number of social contacts in people with dementia and their caregivers. They will combine surveys, caregiver reports, and clinical records to track how social connection relates to quality of life, care use, and health outcomes. The team will also examine the role of community-based supports like home care, meal programs, and volunteer activities in people's social lives. Findings will be used to identify which supports might help people with dementia stay better connected and cared for.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, often along with their family or paid caregivers, who can complete surveys or interviews or allow review of their care records.
Not a fit: People without dementia or those unwilling or unable to participate in interviews, surveys, or record-sharing are unlikely to benefit directly from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to practical ways to reduce loneliness and improve care and quality of life for people with dementia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research links loneliness to worse health outcomes in older adults, but few large programs have specifically focused on how social connection and community supports affect people with dementia and their caregivers, so this work builds on prior findings while addressing a gap.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SMITH, ALEXANDER KELIIMOEANU — ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- Study coordinator: SMITH, ALEXANDER KELIIMOEANU
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 below.
Conditions: Alzheimer's Disease and its related dementias, Alzheimer's disease and related dementia, Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, Alzheimer's disease and related forms of dementia, Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia