My research involves using nonpharmacologic interventions to improve function and reduce behavioral symptoms in persons with dementia. Currently, I am the principal investigator on a grant called “Problematic Vocalizations: Background and Proximal Factors” from the National Institute of Nursing Research ($1,668,787).  It is one of three interactive grants investigating behavioral symptoms of dementia.  My colleagues at the University of Michigan are studying wandering and nonaggression and physical aggression. We plan to develop a model of background (i.e., health state, demographics) and proximal variables (i.e., physiological need state: hunger/thirst and psychosocial need state: affect) to determine when, how often, and how long behavioral symptoms of dementia occur. We are taking a variety of measurements in nursing home residents to meet our goal.

Currently, my colleagues and I are preparing manuscripts for a grant we just finished entitled “Partnership Approach for Sustaining Best Practice” from the National Institute of Nursing Research ($2,690,059).  This study sought to involve staff, residents, and family in improving quality of care in an experimental nursing home. We instituted a nursing based best practice protocol for incontinence at the experimental nursing home and a control nursing home. Preliminary results show that there was no difference between the two homes in sustaining the protocol and the experimental home had a higher level of dryness, but only for 1.5 months. The experimental home has continued to several activities established when we were working within the home to improve quality of care. These include Family Council meetings, care planning meetings that involve several members of the health care team, employing a full-time social worker, and providing a lead nursing assistant for day, evening, and weekend shifts.

In addition, I am the principal investigator on the Alzheimer’s Disease Core Center funded by the National Institute on Aging through June 30, 2006 ($4,753,364). This center conducts both clinical and basic research, provides pilot funding for small research projects, and educates the public on Alzheimer’s Disease.