Principal Investigator Greg Sachs, M.D., describes findings of the IN-PEACE study.
This study tested an innovative supportive care model that integrates dementia care and palliative care in the community setting for patients with moderate to severe dementia and their primary caregivers compared to usual care.
Caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias received education materials specific to dementia. For those randomized to the intervention, a Dementia Care Manager offered support to family caregivers by addressing evolving patient symptoms and caregiver needs including advance care planning, avoiding burdensome treatments, navigating the hospital and hospice enrollment.
IN-PEACE enrolled 201 patient-caregiver pairs.
Patients who were eligible to sign up:
- Age 65 or older with a doctor’s diagnosis of memory problems in the moderate to severe stages
- Have a caregiver who will join the study
- Don’t live in a nursing home
- Live in the greater Indianapolis in a personal home or assisted living facility
Caregivers who were eligible sign up:
- English-speaking
- Live with the patient or have contact at least 2 times a week with one time in person
- The primary caregiver helping patient
Two-Year Study:
Nature of Participation
All caregivers were interviewed every 3 months by phone about patient symptoms and behaviors as well as caregiver response to caregiving. Caregivers randomized to the intervention were also contacted by an assigned Dementia Care Manager every month by phone or more often based on caregiver request.
