DEMA-Pro Intervention for Seniors With Subjective Cognitive Decline and Living at Home

Study Summary

More than 4.4 million patients receive home health services following discharge from the hospital or rehabilitation facility. A substantial number (70%) are older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), an early clinical sign of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. SCD is associated with diminished activity performance, poor quality-of-life and other adverse health outcomes (e.g., depressive symptoms). Home health patients with SCD often require more time, structure, and guidance to complete tasks and adjust to new skills and environments. Support is especially important during this high-risk period of transition between care settings. We propose a new home health care delivery model in partnership with Kindred at Home (KAH), a division of Humana that encompasses 400 programs across 40 states. DEMA-Pro builds on five preliminary studies that demonstrated high feasibility, acceptability, and positive preliminary effects on health outcomes (physical function, mood, and QoL). DEMA-Pro will be refined for delivery by home health services staff to patients with SCD and their informal caregivers. The overall goal of this research will be to conduct a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) of DEMA-Pro to improve outcomes in-home health service patients with SCD. In the current R61 pilot phase, we will establish the trial's organizational structure and processes and pilot test DEMA-Pro in 4 home health services sites. In a subsequent trial, we plan to conduct a full pragmatic RCT in a group of Kindred KAH sites comparing DEMA-Pro to usual care. Consistent with the spirit of a pragmatic trial, we will use existing data sources including electronic Medicare OASIS (Outcome and Assessment Information Set) data, and QoL to characterize the cohort and measure outcomes. Thus, the focus of the pilot phase will be to ensure all processes are in place to conduct the subsequent RCT. Aim 1. Establish the organizational infrastructure and programmatic processe

Primary Outcome

Change in Physical Function measured by the Outcome and Assessment Information Set Data of Instructive Activities of Daily Living Scale (OASIS-D, IADLs Scale M1800s ).The ADL/IADL composite score ranges from 0 (total independence) to 9 (totally dependent/unable to complete). Higher score represent greater dependence.

Conditions Studied

Interventions

• BEHAVIORAL the DEMA-Pro intervention

Study Locations (1)