Senior Care Research Initiative

GOAL

The goal of the Senior Care Research Initiative is to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Dementia Living Center programming in treating persons with dementia and need-driven behaviors. A secondary goal is to lay the ground work for future research opportunities.

VISION

Our vision is to create a research institute that is a leader in developing and evaluating strategic approaches to the provision of psychiatric, psychological, and support services to seniors and their caregivers. As the Center for Senior Care takes a leadership role in developing a seamless continuum of care, the Research Institute will be a natural and necessary partner that will be able to contribute to program evaluation and disseminate our findings to our colleagues nationally.

CURRENT RESEARCH

Linking Behaviors and Interventions: Impact of a Residential Behavior Program
Dr. Kim Curyto, Clinical Director for the Pine Rest Dementia Living Center, received a 2005 New Investigator Research Grant from the national Alzheimer’s Association for two years of funding. This grant will support efforts to collect and analyze preliminary data on treatment programming being implemented at the Dementia Living Center. The project will evaluate and document client progress, including behavior, mood, cognition, and physical functioning to determine effectiveness of treatment in improving behavioral function and preventing decline. This study will also evaluate staff and caregiver reaction to programming, including discharge training. Through the funding of this project, the national community has acknowledged the potential impact of this model for providing treatment. It also allows for other research opportunities and collaborations in developing best practices for treating persons with dementia and need-driven behaviors.

Alzheimer’s Disease Demonstration Grant to the State of Michigan
Dr. Kim Curyto has also been named a consultant on the Alzheimer’s Disease Demonstration Grant funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for three years. She will be developing a self-assessment instrument which will help evaluate the competencies needed by a staff person to provide excellent dementia care. Over the past two years, Dr. Curyto has collaborated with a number of professionals interested in dementia care in Michigan, and chaired the recently developed Dementia Competencies workgroup on assessment. This is another exciting opportunity for Pine Rest, as we work collaboratively with state leaders in dementia care, demonstrating to the national community how effective collaborations help the people we serve.