Award
NIH Reporter #5K01AG086606-03
Developing shared medical appointments for informal caregivers of Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients to improve knowledge, communication, and advanced planning
Recipient
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Award Amount
$123,991.00
Ceiling
$123,991.00
Awarded
June 18, 2026
Identifier
5K01AG086606-03
The project develops group-based shared medical appointments to improve end-of-life communication and planning for Alzheimer's and Dementia patients and their caregivers, addressing cultural and literacy barriers.
Description
This project aims to develop a novel method to facilitate discussions about end-of-life options among patients with Alzheimer's Disease and related Dementias (ADRD), their informal caregiver, and clinicians. It involves conducting interviews and surveys to identify key topics related to ADRD's progression, optimal timing for discussions, and the influence of factors such as health literacy, race, ethnicity, religion, and education. The project proposes designing and evaluating shared medical appointments (SMAs), which provide a community setting where physicians can continuously discuss sensitive topics with groups of patients and caregivers to enhance knowledge, awareness, and preparedness for end-of-life approaches.