SHARE Program for Alzheimer's Disease
(SHARE Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to adapt and test a care planning program specifically for African-Americans dealing with early to moderate dementia, such as Alzheimer's. The study will compare a new, culturally tailored intervention involving counseling sessions and printed resources to the usual care, which consists of a single educational session. It seeks African-American individuals with mild to moderate dementia who live at home and experience memory loss symptoms, along with their caregivers. Participants should be able to speak and read English and feel comfortable managing early dementia symptoms.
As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could improve culturally sensitive care for dementia.
Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.
What prior data suggests that this adapted SHARE program is safe for African-Americans with early-moderate stage dementia and their care partners?
Studies have shown that the SHARE program, designed to assist people with dementia and their caregivers in planning future care, is generally well-received. Research involving 40 caregiver and patient pairs found that structured conversations about future care were acceptable, suggesting the program is safe to use. The program includes counseling sessions and resources, making it a low-risk option. No significant negative effects have been reported from these sessions. Participants find the sessions helpful and manageable.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the SHARE Program for Alzheimer's Disease because it offers a fresh approach to dyadic care planning, focusing on both people living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregivers (CGs) together. Unlike standard treatments that mostly concentrate on medication management, the SHARE intervention provides a series of personalized sessions over 8-10 weeks that are culturally adapted and curriculum-guided. This method not only aims to improve communication and planning between PLWDs and CGs but also emphasizes emotional support and practical strategies. By involving both parties in the care process, the program has the potential to significantly enhance their quality of life and care experience, which is a promising step forward in Alzheimer's management.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for Alzheimer's disease?
Research has shown that programs like the SHARE Dyadic Intervention, which participants in this trial may receive, involve both individuals with early to moderate dementia and their caregivers and can be helpful. A review of several studies found that these programs can improve communication and planning for future care. By focusing on joint decision-making and providing guidance, participants often feel more prepared and supported. Those who have participated in these programs reported feeling better emotionally and having a clearer understanding of their care options. This approach helps both the person with dementia and their caregiver manage the challenges of the condition together.26789
Who Is on the Research Team?
Silvia Orsulic-Jeras
Principal Investigator
Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for African-American families where one member has early to moderate-stage dementia, likely Alzheimer's disease. The focus is on the patient-caregiver pair, known as a dyad. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive the culturally adapted SHARE intervention consisting of up to five, 60-90 minute sessions over an 8-10 week period
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- 5+1 Adapted, early-stage dyadic care planning intervention
- Counseling session and printed resources
Trial Overview
The study tests an adapted version of the SHARE program, designed specifically for African-Americans. It includes counseling and resources aimed at care planning. Participants will be randomly assigned to either this new program or usual care.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Treatment group dyads are comprised of a PLWD with mild to moderate dementia and his/her preferred CG. Following recruitment and the consent process and screening, baseline telephone interviews (T1) with trained interviewers from the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging will be completed separately with all CGs and PLWDs. Treatment group dyads will receive the culturally adapted SHARE intervention compromised of up to five, 60- 90-minute, curriculum-guided sessions with a SHARE Counselor over a 8-10 week period. A (T2) follow-up interview will be conducted approximately two weeks after treatment group dyads complete their final session;.
Control group dyads are comprised of a PLWD with mild to moderate dementia and his/her preferred CG. Following recruitment and the consent process and screening, baseline telephone interviews (T1) with trained interviewers from the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging will be completed separately with all CGs and PLWDs. Control group participants will receive a treatment as usual equivalent: a standardized educational and resource single session with a packet of information. A (T2) follow-up interview will be conducted approximately approximately eight weeks after (T1) baseline interviews.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Collaborator
Citations
A dyadic advance care planning intervention for people ...
Advance care planning (ACP) is highly relevant for people with early-stage dementia to communicate their care preferences for serious ...
A dyadic advance care planning intervention for people with ...
Advance care planning (ACP) is highly relevant for people with early-stage dementia to communicate their care preferences for serious ...
A dyadic perspective on assessment in Alzheimer's dementia ...
A comprehensive overview of available valid and reliable psychosocial measures that assess a selection of important domains for dementia care planning.
Dyadic interventions for community-dwelling people with ...
In this review, we study the effects of dyadic psychosocial interventions focused on community-dwelling people with dementia and their family caregivers, and ...
The effectiveness of dyadic interventions for people with ...
The twelve studies identified used a variety of intervention approaches including support group, counseling, cognitive stimulation, skill ...
A dyadic perspective on assessment in Alzheimer's dementia
This article will focus on concepts that are strength‐based and most relevant to care dyads as they navigate the difficult disease trajectory.
7.
researchgate.net
researchgate.net/publication/309143006_The_SHARE_program_for_dementia_Implementation_of_an_early-stage_dyadic_care-planning_interventionImplementation of an early-stage dyadic care-planning ...
This article describes the implementation of SHARE (Support, Health, Activities, Resources, and Education), a counseling-based care-planning ...
8.
alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/trc2.12037A dyadic perspective on assessment in Alzheimer's dementia ...
This article will focus on concepts that are strength‐based and most relevant to care dyads as they navigate the difficult disease trajectory.
Implementation of an early-stage dyadic care-planning ...
Data were collected from 40 early-stage dementia care dyads to determine the acceptability of having structured discussions about future care in the early ...
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