Research Center: University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB)
Location: This is a virtual research study in Galveston County, Texas
Lead Researchers: Dr. Ming (Huey-Ming) Tzeng, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., Dr. Yong-Fang Kuo, Ph.D., R.N., and Dr. Mukaila Raji, M.D., M.S. (Pharm), F.A.C.P.
IRB: This study has been reviewed and approved by the UTMB Institutional Review Board

Are you currently supporting a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia? Are you currently living in Galveston County, Texas? Your valuable experiences as a family caregiver could make a significant impact in this virtual research study. By sharing your insights, you have the opportunity to shape health policies that could lead to earlier dementia diagnoses and improved dementia care after diagnosis.

This study focuses on enhancing the Annual Wellness Visit experience to better the lives of individuals with dementia. It’s led by researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. This study aims to provide more timely dementia care and support for participants and their families. Participation involves a simple 30-minute virtual interview, where you can share your experiences and contribute to improving dementia care. Let’s make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia.

Interested? Join this new research study!

• You will be compensated for participating in this study. Compensation in the form of a $25 gift card will only be provided to eligible participants who complete the interview study.
• You will be contributing valuable information that may benefit loved ones with dementia in the future.
• You will be helping to advance dementia care research in your community, Galveston Country, Texas, and beyond.

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time.
• Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.

• You must live in Galveston County, Texas
• You, as an active family caregiver of your loved one with a dementia diagnosis, must be able to attend a 30-minute virtual interview via Zoom or phone
• You must be aged 21 and above and be an active family caregiver to your loved one aged 65 and above with dementia
• Your loved one is currently receiving U.S. Medicare health benefits (i.e., enrolled in a Medicare fee-for-service program or the Medicare Advantage program) and should have had at least one Annual Wellness Visit
  • Annual Wellness visits are free (no co-pay) to participants who receive Medicare benefits.
    • Annual Wellness Visits could be delivered by the participant’s primary care provider or a healthcare provider (e.g., a nurse, nursing practitioner, physician assistant, or pharmacist) in a clinical setting or at home.
    • Annual Wellness Visits focus on risk assessment, such as dementia and home safety. They also include medication reconciliation (checking your medications) and involve developing a personalized wellness and prevention plan tailored to decrease the identified risks and support older adults living in their current environment.
  • Labs and physical exams are not included in these visits.
• You, as an active family caregiver, must have attended at least one Annual Wellness Visit with your loved one in the past 12 months
• You must be able to speak English or Spanish
• Your loved one with dementia must not be residing in a nursing home for more than 1 year

The study team will explain the research in its entirety but some details are:

• The study team will interview active family caregivers to understand what works and what does not work in providing Annual Wellness Visits for their loved ones with dementia.
• Annual Wellness visits are free (no co-pay) to participants who receive Medicare benefits.
  • Annual Wellness Visits could be delivered by the participant’s primary care provider or a healthcare provider (e.g., a nurse, nursing practitioner, physician assistant, or pharmacist) in a clinical setting or at home.
  • Annual Wellness Visits focus on risk assessment, such as dementia and home safety. They also include medication reconciliation (checking your medications) and involve developing a personalized wellness and prevention plan tailored to decrease the identified risks and support older adults living in their current environment.
  • Labs and physical exams are not included in these visits.
• This is a local study for participants in the Galveston County area.

University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
For more than 130 years, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) has stood with Texas—training today’s and tomorrow’s healthcare workforce, working to better understand and treat illness and injury, providing care for Texas families, and innovating new ways to improve health.