Dementia-friendly pharmacies as a mental health resource for older adults
Official title: Demenz-freundliche Apotheken Als Ressource für Psychische Gesundheit im Alter
Run by Ludwig-Maximilians - University of Munich · NCT07504965 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether pharmacies with memory-test stations can find early cognitive problems in people 60 and older and connect them to follow-up care and support.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 60 Years to 90 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 1020 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Ludwig-Maximilians - University of Munich Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Munich, Bavaria) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | July 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | April 1, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07504965 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are German-speaking adults aged 60 or older who or whose relatives notice early memory or cognitive concerns and who can give informed consent and complete tablet-based tests.
✕Probably not a fit
People with severe sensory impairments, a prior formal dementia diagnosis, or major physical or cognitive limitations that prevent meaningful participation in digital testing are unlikely to benefit from this program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The DARE (Dementia‑Friendly Apothecaries as a Resource for Mental Health in the Elderly) project is a multicenter, prospective cohort that places digital memory-test stations in partner pharmacies and trains staff to guide participants. Adults aged 60+ with self-, relative-, or pharmacist-noted cognitive concerns complete tablet-based assessments covering cognition, mood, and cardiovascular risk, with results displayed via a color-coded traffic-light graphic. Participants with concerning results are referred to specialists or local support services, and an optional subproject validates screening outcomes using neurological evaluations. Demographic and behavioral data are collected to measure reach, feasibility across urban and rural sites, and subsequent healthcare-seeking behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enable earlier detection of cognitive impairment and faster connections to care and support, potentially improving outcomes and quality of life for older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Pilot projects and small studies have shown pharmacy-based screening and digital cognitive tools are feasible and can identify at-risk individuals, but large-scale validation and evidence of long-term clinical benefit remain limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria 1. Age: Participants must be 60 years or older at the time of consent. 2. Language Proficiency: Sufficient knowledge of the German language to understand instructions and participate in the study. 3. Cognitive Status: Presence of self-reported, relative-reported, or pharmacist-identified cognitive impairments (e.g., memory problems or mild cognitive changes). 4. Consent: Ability to provide informed consent voluntarily. Exclusion Criteria 1. Severe Sensory Impairments: Participants unable to see or hear well enough to complete the digital assessments or questionnaires. 2. Previous Dementia Diagnosis: Individuals with a prior formal diagnosis of dementia, whether with or without underlying pathology. 3. Severe Cognitive or Physical Impairments: Any condition that would prevent meaningful participation in the digital tests or structured screening process. These criteria aim to ensure that the study includes participants at risk of early cognitive decline while excluding those for whom the interventions or assessments would not be feasible or relevant.
Where it's running
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Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU Hospital
Munich, Bavaria, Germany Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Carolin I Kurz, M.D.
- Email: psy.alzheimerzentrum@med.uni-muenchen.de
- Phone: +498944005863
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.