Testing the 'Faith Moves Mountains model' to increase Alzheimer's disease awareness, detection, and diagnosis among rural, racially, and ethnically diverse older adults

OBJECTIVES

Racially and ethnically diverse populations have recently contributed to the majority of rural and small-town growth. Consequently, the disproportionately high risk and prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) among rural and minoritized older residents will likely increase. To address this threat, we tested the hypotheses that (1) a faith-based, resident-led approach would increase basic ADRD knowledge and diagnosis, and (2) older age, female gender, lower educational levels, and more years lived rural would predict number of referrals, new dementia diagnoses, and treatment.

METHODS

An adaptation of Schoenberg's Faith Moves Mountains model, previously successful in detection and management of other chronic illnesses in rural settings, guided this community-based participatory research. Local faith community members were trained as research assistants to recruit, administer surveys, conduct brief memory assessments, teach brain health strategies, and follow-up with residents. Outreaches were offered virtually during the pandemic, then in-person monthly at rotating church sites, and repeated ∼1 year later.

RESULTS

This rural sample was racially and ethnically diverse (74.5% non-White), with 28% reporting eight or less years of formal education. Findings included that referrals and years lived rural were significant and positive predictors of new ADRD treatments [(b = 3.74, χ2(1, n = 235) = 13.01, p < 0.001); (b = 0.02, χ2(1, n = 235 = 3.93, p = 0.048)], respectively, regardless of participant characteristics.

CONCLUSION

Resident-led action research in rural, diverse, faith communities is a successful approach to increasing ADRD disease knowledge, detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

Biomarker disclosure protocols in prodromal Alzheimer's disease clinical trials

INTRODUCTION

The development of biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) has allowed researchers to increase sample homogeneity and test candidate treatments earlier in the disease. The integration of biomarker "screening" criteria should be met with a parallel implementation of standardized methods to disclose biomarker testing results to research participants; however, the extent to which protocolized disclosure occurs in trials is unknown.

METHODS

We reviewed the literature to identify prodromal AD trials published in the past 10 years. From these, we quantified the frequency of biomarker disclosure reporting and the depth of descriptions provided.

RESULTS

Of 30 published trials using positron emission tomography or cerebrospinal fluid-based amyloid positivity as an eligibility criterion, only one mentioned disclosure, with no details on methods.

DISCUSSION

Possible reasons for and implications of this information gap are discussed. Recommendations are provided for trialists considering biomarker screening as part of intervention trials focused on prodromal AD.

HIGHLIGHTS

Few prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD) trial papers discuss biomarker disclosure. Disclosure has implications for participants, family members, and trial success. Disclosure must be consistently integrated and reported in prodromal AD trials. Best practice guidelines and training resources for disclosure are needed.

Analysis of Survival Data with Competing Risks in ADRD (Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias) Research

Competing risk is an event that precludes the occurrence of the primary event of interest. For example, when studying risk factors associated with dementia, death before the onset of dementia serve as a competing event. A subject who dies is no longer at risk of dementia. This issue play more important role in ADRD research given the elderly population. Conventional methods for survival analysis assume independent censoring and ignore the competing events. However, there are some challenge issues using those conventional methods in the presence of competing risks. First, no one-to-one link between hazard function and cumulative incidence function (CIF), and Kaplan-Meier approach overestimates the cumulative incidence of the event of interest. Second, the effect of covariates on hazard rate cannot be directly linked to the effect of cumulative incidence (the risk). We will discuss two types of analyses in the presence of competing risk: Cause-specific hazard model and Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard model. Cause-specific hazard model directly quantify the cause-specific hazard among subjects who are at risk of developing the event of interest, while Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard model directly model the effects of covariates on the cumulative incidence function. The type of research questions (Association vs. Prediction) may guide the choice of different statistical approaches. We will illustrate those two competing risk analyses using the large national dataset from National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC). We will analyze the association between baseline diabetes status and the incidence of dementia, in which death before the onset of dementia is a competing event.

Promoting Inclusivity in Dementia Education and Screening in an Ethnically Diverse, Rural Community During a Pandemic

Rural, ethnically diverse older adults experience disparities in dementia detection/management. The Covid-19 quarantine exacerbated these disparities, and threatened faith-based dementia education and screening activities. We investigated the effectiveness of a telephone-based outreach for increasing dementia knowledge and detecting cognitive risk among a rural, diverse, underserved community of 89% African American, Hispanic, and Haitian Creole residents, Faith-based health educators, trained using virtual Alzheimer’s Association resources, contacted church congregants who responded to radio worship service announcements. Participants completed telephone measures of basic dementia knowledge and cognitive risk. Of the estimated 120 persons across five churches who received an invitation, 75% (n = 90) participated in dementia education and memory screening via telephone. Twelve (80%) of the 15 participants assessed as being at risk followed up with their provider. Rural residents are known for preferring face-to-face contact. Their willingness to complete health-promoting research activities by telephone highlighted the community’s interest in dementia awareness.

Aging and Functional Health Literacy: A Population-based Study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate functional health literacy and its associated factors among older adults drawn from a disadvantaged area.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional epidemiologic study.

SETTING

Population-based cohort randomly selected from the voter registration lists.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals aged 65+ (N=1066).

MEASUREMENTS

The Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA); demographics; self-rated health; number of prescription drugs; modified Center for Epidemiologic Studies- Depression scale; Mini-Mental State Examination; Wechsler Test of Adult Reading; Clinical Dementia Rating; cognitive domain composite scores; independence in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and medication management; health services utilization (emergency/urgent care visits and hospitalizations).

RESULTS

Low (inadequate or marginal) S-TOFHLA scores were obtained by 7.04% of the sample. In unadjusted analyses, participants with low S-TOFHLA scores were significantly more likely than those with higher scores to be older, male, non-White, with lesser education and lower household income, to have lower scores on the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and all cognitive domains; to be more dependent in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and be taking more prescription drugs. In a multiple regression model including all covariates, only older age, male sex, and lower reading level were independently associated with inadequate or marginal S-TOFHLA scores.

CONCLUSION

In a population-based sample of older adults, low functional health literacy was associated with age, sex, education, and reading ability. Basic functional health literacy is essential for understanding health information and instructions. Clinicians should formally or informally assess health literacy in their older patients to ensure effective communication and enhance health outcomes.

Overcoming the COVID-19 Pandemic for Dementia Research: Engaging Rural, Older, Racially and Ethnically Diverse Church Attendees in Remote Recruitment, Intervention and Assessment

BACKGROUND

Access to cognitive screening in rural underserved communities is limited and was further diminished during the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined whether a telephone-based cognitive screening intervention would be effective in increasing ADRD knowledge, detecting the need for further cognitive evaluation, and making and tracking the results of referrals.

METHOD

Using a dependent t-test design, older, largely African American and Afro-Caribbean participants completed a brief educational intervention, pre/post AD knowledge measure, and cognitive screening.

RESULTS

Sixty of 85 eligible individuals consented. Seventy-percent of the sample self-reported as African American, Haitian Creole, or Hispanic, and 75% were female, with an average age of 70. AD knowledge pre-post scores improved significantly (t (49) = -3.4, p < .001). Of the 11 referred after positive cognitive screening, 72% completed follow-up with their provider. Five were newly diagnosed with dementia. Three reported no change in diagnosis or treatment. Ninety-percent consented to enrolling in a registry for future research.

CONCLUSION

Remote engagement is feasible for recruiting, educating, and conducting cognitive screening with rural older adults during a pandemic.

Engaging rural older minority adults in dementia research during a pandemic‐associated quarantine

Background

Rural‐dwelling individuals are at heightened risk for dementia syndromes as they age. Recognizing that faith institutions are bulwarks in rural communities, we partnered with churches to design research that aims to improve knowledge of, and promote screening for, dementia. Since recruitment began just as COVID‐19 emerged, in‐person recruitment ceased. We developed a virtual protocol to train health educators and engage rural, racially diverse congregants.

Method

Guided by Schoenberg’s (2011) “Faith Moves Mountains” model, health educators were trained via videoconferencing, using Alzheimer’s Association online English/Spanish resources. Educators approached 35 congregants to administer telephone‐based teaching, pre‐post tests of dementia knowledge, and dementia screening.

Results

Thirty rural older adults responded to faith health educator tele‐recruitment and intervention. Pre‐post knowledge surveys showed significant improvement (r=.67, p=.04). Thirteen (43%) completed dementia screening, followed by referral to a memory telehealth clinic.

Conclusion

This faith‐based model shows promise for reaching isolated rural residents facing dementia risk.

Communicating mild cognitive impairment diagnoses with and without amyloid imaging

Background

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has an uncertain etiology and prognosis and may be challenging for clinicians to discuss with patients and families. Amyloid imaging may aid specialists in determining MCI etiology and prognosis, but creates novel challenges related to disease labeling.

Methods

We convened a workgroup to formulate recommendations for clinicians providing care to MCI patients.

Results

Clinicians should use the MCI diagnosis to validate patient and family concerns and educate them that the patient’s cognitive impairment is not normal for his or her age and education level. The MCI diagnosis should not be used to avoid delivering a diagnosis of dementia. For patients who meet Appropriate Use Criteria after standard-of-care clinical workup, amyloid imaging may position specialists to offer more information about etiology and prognosis. Clinicians must set appropriate expectations, including ensuring that patients and families understand the limitations of amyloid imaging. Communication of negative results should include that patients remain at elevated risk for dementia and that negative scans do not indicate a specific diagnosis or signify brain health. Positive amyloid imaging results should elicit further monitoring and conversations about appropriate advance planning. Clinicians should offer written summaries, including referral to appropriate social services.

Conclusions

In patients with MCI, there is a need to devote considerable time and attention to patient education and shared decision-making. Amyloid imaging may be a tool to aid clinicians. Careful management of patient expectations and communication of scan results will be critical to the appropriate use of amyloid imaging information.

Stressors and Caregivers' Depression: Multiple Mediators of Self-Efficacy, Social Support, and Problem-Solving Skill

Caring for an older adult with memory loss is stressful. Caregiver stress could produce negative outcomes such as depression. Previous research is limited in examining multiple intermediate pathways from caregiver stress to depressive symptoms. This study addresses this limitation by examining the role of self-efficacy, social support, and problem solving in mediating the relationships between caregiver stressors and depressive symptoms. Using a sample of 91 family caregivers, we tested simultaneously multiple mediators between caregiver stressors and depression. Results indicate that self-efficacy mediated the pathway from daily hassles to depression. Findings point to the importance of improving self-efficacy in psychosocial interventions for caregivers of older adults with memory loss.

Humor and laughter in persons with cognitive impairment and their caregivers

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to describe humor and laughter in persons with cognitive impairment (PWCI) and caregivers who were recalling a shared experience in a focus group.

DESIGN

Twenty participants attended an Art Engagement Activity at the Andy Warhol Art Museum, which included a guided tour and an art project. All PWCI had medically diagnosed cognitive disorders and all caregiver participants did not. Four focus groups were conducted and transcripts of audio-recorded sessions were transferred to a qualitative software program.

METHOD

Words, phrases, and episodes of humor and laughter were used to construct codes, which were refined during group analysis using constant comparison.

FINDINGS

Humor and laughter were present in all four focus groups. Emerging themes of humor included silliness, sarcasm, and commenting about hardships of dementia. Laughter was identified in segments with and without humor. Some PWCI were unable to follow social cues.

CONCLUSIONS

Humor and laughter played a role in creating a safe social environment. PWCI were able to engage in humor during social interactions, yet some had difficulty recognizing social cues. Further study may reveal roles of humor and laughter in adaptation to cognitive decline and holistic interventions for improved quality of life.

Characterizing caregiver-mediated medication management in patients with memory loss

Increasingly, family members are assisting with the complex task of medication management when patients are experiencing cognitive decline. To date, limited published research addresses caregiver-mediated medication management of patients with impaired cognition. Thus, the purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics and correlates of caregiver-mediated medication management in community-dwelling patients with memory loss. We used baseline data from the 91 patient-caregiver dyads participating in a randomized controlled trial designed to assist caregivers of patients with memory loss with medication management. The patient's level of cognitive impairment was not related to medication errors; however, the number of medications that patients were prescribed and taking was related to medication errors. Important factors to consider when discussing medication management with caregivers of patients with memory loss include the caregiver's age, cognitive ability, and depressive symptoms, as well as the caregiver's perception of the impact of the patient's behavioral problems.