Dementia Care Management for Alzheimer's Disease

(ENGAGE-D Trial)

Overseen By Komal P Murali, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: New York University

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Mild Cognitive Impairment, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The trial aims to improve care for individuals with moderate to severe dementia by testing a new tool, the Dementia Care Management Checklist for Hospice Transitions. This checklist assists care managers in guiding crucial conversations with caregivers about the needs of those with dementia, focusing on decision-making and care transitions. Potential participants include caregivers of individuals with moderate to severe dementia who frequently engage in end-of-life care discussions. As an unphased study, this trial provides caregivers the chance to contribute to innovative approaches that may enhance the quality of end-of-life care for dementia patients.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

What prior data suggests that this care management intervention is safe for dementia patients and their care partners?

Research has shown that a care management checklist can enhance the quality of care for people with dementia transitioning to hospice care. While specific data on the safety of the Dementia Care Management Checklist is limited, similar tools in hospice care are generally safe and well-received.

The checklist aids care managers in discussing care needs and decisions with families. No reports of harm or negative effects have emerged from using this type of checklist, indicating it is a safe method to assist families in making crucial end-of-life care decisions. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

The Dementia Care Management Checklist for Hospice Transitions is unique because it focuses on enhancing communication and planning between care managers and care partners for those with Alzheimer's. Unlike traditional treatments that primarily address symptoms with medication, this approach emphasizes comprehensive care planning, including decision-making, end-of-life education, and cultural needs. Researchers are excited because it aims to provide a more personalized and holistic care experience, potentially improving quality of life during critical transitions to hospice care.

What evidence suggests that the Dementia Care Management Checklist for Hospice Transitions is effective for dementia care management?

Research has shown that using a checklist for managing dementia care can improve end-of-life care for people with Alzheimer's. In this trial, participants will use the Dementia Care Management Checklist for Hospice Transitions, designed to guide decisions about care needs and end-of-life planning. Studies have found that transitioning to hospice care at the right time can enhance the quality of care for dementia patients. This checklist approach also improves communication and education for both patients and their caregivers. Overall, these strategies aim to make the process smoother and more aligned with the patient's wishes. ^{1 3 5 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with advanced dementia and their caregivers. Participants must be receiving home healthcare from a large agency, as the study aims to improve end-of-life care and ease hospice transitions using a specialized checklist.

Inclusion Criteria

Care partners of PLWD who have a diagnosis of moderate to severe dementia and are able to provide informed consent

I am a care manager, 18 or older, working with hospice transitions for people living with dementia.

I am a medical provider over 18 referring patients for hospice.

Exclusion Criteria

Care partners who are caring for PLWD with Mild Cognitive Impairment

PLWD with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Care managers, medical providers, and administrators who do not have experience managing hospice transitions for PLWD

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

The care management checklist is administered to care partners by care managers during an outreach call to discuss the person with dementia's care and clinical needs.

1 month

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, and usability of the intervention.

1 month

Long-term Follow-up

Assessment of hospice enrollment and time to enrollment of the person with dementia.

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Dementia Care Management Checklist for Hospice Transitions

Trial Overview The study is testing a 'Dementia Care Management Hospice Transitions Checklist' within usual care management practices. It will evaluate how well this intervention guides end-of-life decisions, its feasibility, acceptability, and impact on hospice enrollment and caregiver satisfaction.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Dementia Care Management Checklist for Hospice Transitions Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The care management checklist will be administered to care partners by care managers during an outreach call to discuss the person with dementia's care and clinical needs. In this conversation, they will use the checklist to ask questions regarding care needs, decision-making considerations (healthcare proxy, etc), end-of-life dementia education, social and cultural needs, and potential care transitions.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

New York University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

249

Recruited

229,000+

Visiting Nurse Service of New York

Collaborator

Trials

13

Recruited

5,500+

Citations

1. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11145947

Project Details - NIH RePORTER This study will generate a hospice transitions care management checklist and an home healthcare intervention that can help improve communication, education, ...

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-alzheimer-disease-9-2025-7fc64

Dementia Care Management for Alzheimer's Disease · Info ... This study will test a care management intervention to guide end-of-life care and hospice transitions for persons with dementia and their care partners ...

3. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/65/5/gnaf046/7998601

Interventions and Predictors of Transition to Hospice for ... Timely and goal-concordant care transitions to hospice care can result in improved quality of dementia care at the end of life, such as in the context of ...

4. apm.amegroups.org apm.amegroups.org/article/view/122422/html

Transitions between skilled home health and hospice for ... Transitions between skilled HH and hospice may disrupt care and bring risks for poor outcomes. We found only one study that included dementia or ...

5. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/388687487_Interventions_and_Predictors_of_Transition_to_Hospice_for_People_Living_with_Dementia_An_Integrative_Review

(PDF) Interventions and Predictors of Transition to Hospice ... Interventions included components of hospice decision-making delivered through advance care planning, checklist-based care management for ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12056607/

Interventions and Predictors of Transition to Hospice for ... Timely and goal-concordant care transitions to hospice care can result in improved quality of dementia care at the end of life, such as in the context of ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9283206/

Hospice interventions for persons living with dementia ... We synthesized hospice intervention studies for persons living with dementia, their families, and hospice professionals by describing the types of interventions ...