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Enhancing Triadic Communication About Cognition for Older Adults With Alzheimer's Disease or Related Dementias Facing a Cancer Management Decision

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
65 Years and older
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

Not stated in the study description — ask the study team about visits and procedures.

Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study tests COACH-Cog, a communication coaching program for adults age 65 or older who have dementia and cancer and may face a cancer care decision. It looks at whether the program helps patients and care partners take part in decisions, discuss memory and thinking concerns, and choose care that matches their goals.

Building upon prior work, the investigator team developed a communication intervention for older adults with ADRD who are considering a decision about cancer management (adapted intervention: COACH-Cog). The investigators hypothesize that for patients with dual diagnoses of ADRD and cancer, COACH-Cog will increase autonomy support of care partners and patients in the decision-making process, leading to greater acknowledgement and support of cognitive concerns and cognitive-related goals, thereby improving goal concordant care. The investigators are conducting a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT; cluster randomized by physician) including approximately 45 oncology clinicians and 130 patient/care partner dyads evaluating the effect of COACH-Cog on care partner and patient autonomy support, care partner well-being, goal-concordance, and communication.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Patients must be age 65 or older.
  • Patients must have a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, which affects memory and thinking.
  • Patients must have cancer of any type or stage.
  • Patients must have a possible cancer care decision ahead, as confirmed by their main cancer doctor.
  • Patients must have a care partner willing and able to join the study.
  • Patients must be able to read and understand English and agree to join, or have a legally authorized person agree for them.
  • Care partners must be age 18 or older, read and understand spoken English, and be able to agree to join.
  • Cancer clinicians must work with the Wilmot Cancer Institute and have no plans to move or retire within the next 2 years.

Who can't join

    Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

    Official eligibility criteria

    PATIENTS: Patient Inclusion Criteria: 1. Be age 65 or older 2. Have a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementia (ADRD \[Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, or dementia of unknown subtype\]) 3. Have a clinical diagnosis of cancer (any type or stage) 4. Anticipate a potential decision about cancer-related management, as confirmed by the patient's primary medical oncology clinician. 5. Have a care partner willing and able to participate in the study 6. Are able to read and understand English. The communication coaching session will be delivered in English, thus necessitating this requirement. 7. Be able to provide informed consent (as measured by UBACC) or have a Legally Authorized Representative to provide informed consent Patient Exclusion Criteria: Patient exclusion criteria: None CARE PARTNER: Care partner inclusion criteria: 1. Age 18 or over 2. Able to read and understand spoken English 3. Able to provide informed consent Care partner exclusion criteria: None ONCOLOGY CLINICIAN: Oncology clinician inclusion criteria: 1. Oncology clinicians affiliated with the Wilmot Cancer Institute 2. Do not intend to move or retire within the next 2 years. Oncology clinician exclusion criteria: None

    Study sites (1)

    NY