Neighborhood-based Physical and Social Activity for Older Black Caregivers and People Living With Dementia

Launched by OREGON HEALTH AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · Dec 16, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The clinical trial titled "Neighborhood-based Physical and Social Activity for Older Black Caregivers and People Living With Dementia" is exploring a program called SHARP, which stands for Sharing History through Active Reminiscence and Photo-imagery. This program encourages groups made up of a caregiver, a person living with dementia, and a support person to engage in walking and sharing memories about their neighborhood using a tablet. The goal is to improve both the physical and mental health of the caregivers while also benefiting the person with dementia. Participants will be monitored for their daily steps, sleep patterns, and overall health through online surveys and assessments before and after the program.

To join this study, participants need to be African American caregivers or individuals living with dementia, aged 55 or older, and have lived in specific neighborhoods in Portland for at least 10 years. They should be able to walk independently for at least 45 minutes and generally be in good health. Throughout the trial, participants will share their experiences and feelings about the program, which will help the researchers understand how to best adapt it for their needs. This is an exciting opportunity for those who qualify, as it not only promotes physical activity but also fosters social connections and community engagement.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Self-identified African American (caregiver and PWD)
• • 2. Caregivers and PWD Age \> 55 years old; caregiver support person aged \>18 years old
• • 3. Caregiver and PWD reside or resided for \>10 years in Portland's historically Black neighborhoods (to be familiar with Memory Markers about this area)
• • 4. Able to ambulate independently for at least 45 minutes without the use of mobility aids
• • 5. Meeting Cognition Criteria
• • a. Participants with MCI or early-stage/mild dementia will meet criteria consistent with those defined by Jak et al. and with the criteria outlined by the NIA-Alzheimer's Association workgroup
• • 6. Cognitive function allows independent (or minimally assisted) travel to and from walk locations
• • 7. Caregivers must have in-home reliable broadband internet (for weekly online surveys).
• • 8. Ability to read, speak, and understand English - all participants
• • 9. In general good health for their age (e.g., stable cardiovascular disease, stable diabetes mellitus, no significant nervous system disease).
• • 10. Subject must have adequate vision, hearing and language abilities to complete assessments.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Self-reported or clinically diagnosed late-stage dementia
• • 2. Significant disease of the central nervous system
• • 3. Severely depressed (CES-D score \> 16), significantly symptomatic psychiatric disorder
• • 4. Advanced cardiovascular disease that would make walking difficult, including history of congestive heart failure
• • 5. Unstable insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, received diagnosis Type 1 Diabetes, started insulin within past 3 months, hospitalized for hypoglycemia within past 6 months.

Trial Officials