Palliative care education for dementia care providers in assisted living

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This intervention focuses on providing palliative care education to licensed nurses, administrators, and dementia care coordinators in assisted living communities. Over a four-week period, participants will engage in weekly training sessions aimed at improving the quality of dementia care outcomes. The study will involve a cluster randomized trial design across 30 assisted living facilities, with follow-ups at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months to assess the impact of the training on care outcomes for residents and their families. The study aims to enhance caregiver knowledge and reduce caregiver burden through structured education.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

The AL community eligibility criteria include a minimum of 40+ beds and provide memory care services to at least 35% of their residents, and access to hospice services from Lifepath or Suncoast Hospice. The AL size of 40+ beds is selected so we will be able to recruit a minimum of 14 residents per site, based on the power analysis for the sample size of 450 for the primary study outcome of documentation of ACP discussions.

Residents are eligible if 1) they have a dementia diagnosis confirmed by the resident's physician (physician's signature required by University of South Florida (USF) Institutional Reiew Board (IRB) in prior clinical trial) regardless of dementia severity (mild, moderate, or severe), 2) if they have been admitted to the AL in the last month, and 3) if they have a legally responsible representative who understands English.

Staff are eligible if they are currently employed with the participating study AL as a registered/licensed practical nurse, administrator, or dementia care coordinator of a memory care unit and English speaking and 21 years of age or older.

Family members are eligible if 1) they are listed as the legally responsible party in the chart records for the resident with ADRD, 2) they understand English, and 3) are at least 21 years of age or older. This could include someone related to the person, a close friend or a legal guardian who oversees the person's care and is responsible for decisions about their care.

Exclusion Criteria:

AL sites will be ineligible if 1) the are not a licensed Florida assisted living facility; 2) they have previously participated in a PCEAL-DCP clinical trial (2018-2021) to avoid possible experimental contamination effects, and 3) if no staff employed at the AL are willing to participate in the study.

Residents are ineligible if they: 1) are currently receiving hospice services because residents who receive hospice are already engaged in ACP discussions upon admission; 2) if they are discharged from assisted living to another setting (nursing home or hospital) or are admitted to hospice or have died before baseline data is collected.

Staff will be ineligible if they are not licensed nurses, administrators or dementia care coordinators of a dementia care unit or terminated/resign before baseline data is collected.

Family are ineligible if: 1) they are under 21 years of age and do not understand spoken or written English and if there is already a legal authorized representative for a resident participating in the study (one family member per resident).

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Where it's running

• University of South Florida
  Tampa, Florida, United States Recruiting
• University of South Florida
  Tampa, Florida, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Debra Dobbs, PhD — University of South Florida
• Study coordinator: Debra Dobbs, PhD
• Email: ddobbs@usf.edu
• Phone: 813-974-5767

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.