nuTritiOn and deMentia AT hOme (TOMATO)

Launched by BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY · May 18, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The TOMATO trial is a study looking at how to improve the nutrition of people living with dementia who are receiving care at home. The goal is to see if a specific nutrition program can be made easier to use and if it is suitable for those with dementia, as well as their families and caregivers. The study is currently looking for participants, including people with dementia, their family members or friends who provide care, and home care workers. To qualify, individuals with dementia must have a formal diagnosis or show signs of dementia, recently experienced issues with nutrition, and have someone close by to help care for them.

Participants in the trial will share their experiences related to nutrition and care, helping researchers understand how to better support individuals with dementia. It's important to note that those at the end of life, permanently bedridden, or receiving special nutritional support like tube feeding are not eligible for this study. The TOMATO trial aims to make a positive difference in the nutrition and overall well-being of those living with dementia at home.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Participants: People with dementia, their relatives, and home care workers
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • People with Dementia
• • formal diagnosis or functional symptoms associated with probable dementia (assessed by a senior home care worker using the FAST).
• • have family member/friend providing care/support and resident in the same house as the person with dementia or living close by.
• • be currently or have recently (in last 6-months) been at risk of/experienced malnutrition in receipt of home care services.
• • - For interviews, people with dementia will
• • be able to communicate fluently enough in English or provide informed consent with the assistance of a translator or family member to participate.
• • be able to recall their experiences of malnutrition and carer/home care worker responses well enough to discuss.
• • Carers and Home Care Workers
• • currently or have recently (in last 6-months) provided care for someone with dementia at risk of/experiencing malnutrition.
• • able to communicate fluently enough in English or provide informed consent with the assistance of a translator or family member to participate.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • People with Dementia
• • Who are at end of life or on an end-of-life care pathway.
• • Permanently cared for in bed.
• • Do not have an informal caregiver.
• • having specialist nutritional support e.g., feeding via tube.
• • Carers and Home Care Workers
• • have not recently (in last 6-months) provided care for someone with dementia at risk of/experiencing malnutrition.
• • not able to communicate fluently enough in English or provide informed consent