Please note: This trial has finished recruiting and is not accepting new participants

Research Center: Goldsen Institute at the University of Washington
Location: A virtual research study within the United States
Lead Researcher: Karen Fredriksen Goldsen, Ph.D.
IRB Committee: This study has been reviewed and approved by the University of Washington Institutional Review Board

Are you passionate about contributing to research that may help the LGBTQ community? Much research geared towards improving the quality of life among people in the LGBTQ community still needs to be done-especially older adults suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia. Currently, there is a lack of effective research-based interventions for such vulnerable older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their caregivers. This is a significant public health problem.

This free virtual research study seeks to know the effectiveness of an evidence-based intervention in helping people in the LGBTQ community who are experiencing dementia or caring for someone with dementia. This program has been developed by leading experts in dementia. Through this study, researchers will be able to better understand how to help vulnerable adults experiencing memory challenges. Further, this study may open more health opportunities for people in the LGBTQ community who suffer from memory challenges.

• This free research study is completely virtual so by participating, you will be helping to advance health opportunities for people in the LGBTQ community who have Alzheimer’s or dementia and their caregivers in the comfort of your own home. 
• Participants will get coaching from trained coaches in problem solving, improving communication and a gentle exercise program designed to improve physical functioning.
• Participants will learn how to handle behavioral issues that occur with adults having memory problems.
• Participants will be compensated up to $125 for completing telephone assessments. 
• Participants will be helping to advance care for those with memory loss and LGBTQ research.

• 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.
• Study coaches will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

• Pairs participate in this study. One of the pair has Alzheimer’s, dementia, or memory problems and is 50 years old or older. The other is their caregiver.
• At least 1 person of the pair must be LGBTQ. This means that at least one of you identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or transgender, queer or non-binary. However, you can both be LGBTQ.
• Neither of you is currently living in a long-term residential care setting (i.e., nursing homes).
• You must be willing to participate in virtual coaching sessions for about 6 weeks

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

• This study seeks to improve health through encouraging gentle exercise and improve caregiving skills.
• Participation in this study involves spending about 30 minutes daily for study exercise for 6 weeks
• Participation in this study involves spending 9 one-hour sessions with a coach. These sessions are designed to improve the health and well-being of both the person with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or memory problems and their caregiver.
• Participation in the study includes 5 phone interviews over 13 months.

Goldsen Institute at the University of Washington

The Goldsen Institute at the University of Washington is an innovation hub that researches vulnerable populations and creates interventions to improve their health, wellness, and longevity. The Goldsen Institute is dedicated to building a world where all ages thrive throughout their lives. Improvements in health, wellness, and longevity demand that we disrupt traditional intervention models, which necessitates new practices for how we live, work, and grow in our communities. We work with communities to design and implement intervention studies addressing the unique needs and strengths of demographically diverse populations. By engaging communities in evidence-based practices, we promote health equity. 

Please note:

Due to the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, the study team would like to point out that this study will be conducted remotely which means there will be no in-person study visits allowing you to participate in the comfort of your own home and having no close interactions with any person outside of your household.