Palliative care education for dementia care providers in assisted living
Preparing Assisted Living Staff to Provider Palliative Care to Residents With Dementia: Palliative Care Education in Assisted Living for Dementia Care Providers (PCEAL-DCP)
This study is testing whether training for nurses and caregivers in assisted living can improve the quality of care for people with dementia and make their jobs easier.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 792 (estimated) |
| Ages | 21 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of South Florida Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Tampa, Florida and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06722352 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are residents of assisted living facilities with a confirmed diagnosis of dementia and their caregivers.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have a dementia diagnosis or are not residing in participating assisted living facilities may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve the quality of care for dementia patients and reduce caregiver burnout.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that educational interventions for caregivers can lead to improved care outcomes, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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). \-
Where this trial is running
Tampa, Florida and 1 other locations
- 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
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.