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The Driving-and-Dementia study is designed for individuals caring for persons with dementia or mild cognitive impiarment who are still driving. The issue of driving and dementia is extremely difficult as dementia ultimately leads to a decline in cognitive functions necessary for driving; however, the dementia patient may be unaware of the driving problems he or she is having. Additionally, there is currently a lack of caregiver information that describes when and how to help the dementia patient stop driving.
This study will evaluate new educational information and a support/educational group, which has been developed to give caregivers (the care recipient does not participate) more effective strategies to make decisions regarding his/her loved one’s driving. The participants in this study will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: one group will participate in a 4-week educational group (2-hour sessions held once a week); a second group will receive written information only regarding dementia and driving; and a third group will receive no information and participate solely in the study visits described below (however, after the 4-month telephone contact, a one-time lecture with information from the 4-week series will be offered to this group).
The Driving-and-Dementia study is funded through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab, with support from the Hartford Financial Services Group.
Towns hosting groups in 2006 (caregivers in neigboring areas are welcome)
| Andover |
April-June |
enrollment ends May 8th |
| Malden |
April-May |
enrollment ends April 28th |
| Dartmouth |
Dates to be determined |
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| Sandwich, Quincy |
May-June |
enrollment ends May 31st |
| West Roxbury |
June-July |
enrollment ends June 30th |
| Duxbury |
August-September |
enrollment ends August 31st |
Interested in hearing more about the study? Call today! Jennifer Hunter (617) 414-1188
Who is eligible to participate?
You may be eligible to participate if:
- You are a spouse, live-in-partner/friend, or an adult child of a person with dementia or mild cognitive impairment.
- Your loved one has a diagnosis of “dementia” or “Alzheimer’s disease” or "mild cognitive impairment" from a health care provider.
- Your loved one currently drives an automobile at least two trips per week.
What happens at the visits?
All study participants will have 2 study visits. The study visits will involve an interview and questionnaires regarding transportation related issues as well as caregiver stress (i.e. burden, coping styles, mood, etc.). The two study visits will take place within 12 weeks of each other, with the second visit happening 4 to 8 weeks after the first study visit. The participant will also receive a short (10-15 min.) follow-up phone call at 4 and 10 months after the first visit. The visits will be scheduled for a time and place most convenient to the participant.
Where is the study taking place?
The study visits will be conducted at a time and place convenient for the participant. For example, the visit could take place at the participant’s home, if this is most convenient. The education/support group will be held at a local facility (e.g. senior center, or council on aging), convenient to your home.
How can I find out more?
This study is no longer open to enrollment. For more information on how to participate in other studies, please call Erin Whalen at 617-414-1078.
Key Personnel
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