Clinical Research Directory

Blood Biomarkers for Alzheimer Disease and Neuro-injury to Estimate the Association With Cognitive/Functional Decline and Mortality in a Real-world Population of GERiatric Hospitalized Patients (BAD-GER)

The BAD-GER study is a multicenter, prospective, three-arm observational study serving to validate a prognostic biomarker algorithm for mortality and hospital readmission; this algorithm will be developed through the retrospective analysis of Alzheimer's Disease and neurodegeneration biomarkers in an already available discovery cohort of 700 previously hospitalized geriatric patients.

EXploring Patterns of Use and Effects of Adult Day Programs to Improve Trajectories of Continuing CarE

This study seeks to understand the impact of Canada's adult day program on attendees and non-attendees, especially those with dementia and other co-morbidities. A retrospective cohort study will be conducted, including older adults in the community who do or do not attend adult day programs in Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba, Canada. The objectives are to (1) compare patterns of day program use (including non-use) by Canadian province (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba), and time, (2) compare characteristics of older adults by day program use pattern (including non-use), province, and time, and (3) to examine whether those who are exposed to day programs, compared to a propensity-score matched comparison group of non-exposed older adults in the community, enter long-term care homes at later times (primary outcome), are less likely to have depressive symptoms, physical and cognitive change, and have lower use of primary, acute, and emergency care (secondary outcomes).

Assessing the Impact of DAy Programs on Individuals Living with Dementia and Their Family/friend Caregivers

This study seeks to understand the effects of adult day programs on older adults, especially those with dementia, and their caregivers. A prospective cohort study will be conducted in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario. Participants will be (1) older adults with dementia who attend a day program, and their caregivers, and (2) older adults with dementia in the community who do not attend a day program, and their caregivers. The objectives are to (1) evaluate the effects of day programs on attendee and caregiver outcomes, and (2) compare day program use patterns, attendee and caregiver social identities, day program characteristics, and day program outcomes between the 4 provinces, and (3) to explore what attendee and caregiver social identities and day program characteristics are associated with study outcomes, and with day program attendance/non-attendance.

Significant Activities in the Integrated Person-centered Care Model

The increasing life expectancy and global aging population necessitate changes in long-term gerontological services based on Person-Centred Care approaches. This study aims to improve Person-Centred Care in geriatric centers through meaningful activities and the role of occupational therapists and direct care professionals in developing these activities. A descriptive cross-sectional quasi-experimental design was proposed, with 10 participants.

Evaluation of the Use of a Novel Oral Health Screening Instrument by Caregivers in Nursing Homes

BACKGROUND: Oral health of nursing home residents is often poor. Oral health is related to general health, quality of life and well-being. Health care providers in nursing homes can be seen as important intermediaries to improve oral health as they are responsible for the residents' daily care and as they could regularly check resident's oral health. The goal of this interventional study is to evaluate the use of a new oral health screening tool for older adults in nursing homes (OHS-interRAI) in an everyday context. This tool is included in the Belgian version of the International Resident Assessment Instrument for long-term care facilities and will be used by healthcare providers without a dental background. The evaluation will be done at different levels using mixed methods. The main questions this study aims to answer at level of the residents are: * What is the effect of regular oral health assessment on oral health of the residents? * How do residents perceive oral health and experience the regular oral health assessments? At level of the health care providers the main questions are: * How do they experience the use of the OHS-interRAI for oral health assessments? * To what extent are the assessments by health care providers comparable to assessments performed by oral health professionals? METHODS: This research will compare the outcomes of nursing homes using the OHS-interRAI with outcomes of nursing homes using the oral health screening tool which is currently used in Belgian nursing homes. Nursing homes will be assigned randomly to the different groups. Both healthcare providers and residents assign for participation. Healthcare providers will follow a training on how to perform the screening with the OHS-interRAI and to monitor residents' oral health. Residents agree to regular oral health assessments by their healthcare providers every six months over a 2-years period.

Validation of the REMINDER Dementia Risk Reduction Program

Until now, neuropsychological interventions aimed to optimize cognitive function and to have functional impact in individuals at risk of AD (MCI patients) were scarce in validity studies. While some RCTs have been developed in cognitive training interventions, comparative studies of merged interventions (cognitive, social and behavioral stimulation) with adequate control groups are absent, diminishing the professionals' trust on the adoption of these interventions for supporting patients. As such, the present proposal will develop a validation trial testing a multicomponent neuropsychological intervention (REMINDER), based on personal development, cognitive compensatory aids, meaningful goals setting, and behavior change techniques. The investigators will analyze its short/long-term gains and AD conversion rates. By aiming to provide a good validation study for REMINDER, the investigators will examine neurobiological, neurocognitive and functional outcomes of this intervention in comparison with an active control group (psychoeducation) in order to foster an effective outcome assessment of an intervention for individuals at risk of AD.