CEAL@UNC is dedicated to promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and disseminating and translating research findings to providers, policy makers, and consumers. This page includes research projects currently being conducted by CEAL@UNC affiliates across the country. If you are interested in learning more about any of these projects, contact us for more information.
The National Dementia Workforce Study
Principal Investigator: Donovan Maust, MD, MS and Joanne Spetz, PhD
Institution: University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Funder: National Institute on Aging
Primary Aim: In a U54 Cooperative Agreement, launch a family of four nationally representative professional dementia workforce surveys covering the key care delivery settings in the U.S. – including assisted living — to build a data infrastructure about the workforce and associated outcomes for persons living with dementia, and promote widespread use of the National Dementia Workforce Study data infrastructure.
Project Timeline: September 2023 – August 2028
Project Website: https://ummentalhealth.info/ndws/
Opportunities for Collaboration/Involvement: See project website for details.
Adapting an Evidence-Based Program that Improves Oral Hygiene and Health for Assisted Living Residents with Dementia
Principal Investigator: Sheryl Zimmerman, PhD
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Funder: National Institute on Aging
Primary Aim: In an R01 randomized controlled trial among assisted living residents with dementia, determine the extent to which training direct care staff in oral hygiene (daily tooth brushing) improves oral hygiene outcomes.
Project Timeline: September 2018 – May 2025
A Pragmatic Crossover Trial to Test the Effectiveness of a Novel Lighting System to Reduce Nighttime Falls in Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
Principal Investigator: Sheryl Zimmerman, PhD
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Funder: National Institute on Aging
Primary Aim: In an R01 randomized controlled trial in 42 assisted living communities, determine the extent to which a novel lighting system is effective in preventing nighttime falls for residents living with dementia.
Project Timeline: July 2022 – June 2026
Opportunities for Collaboration/Involvement: Assisted living providers in the eastern United States who are interested in enrolling their communities in this project are welcome to contact the study team.
Evaluating a National Person-Centered Training Program to Strengthen the Dementia Care Workforce
Principal Investigator: Sheryl Zimmerman, PhD
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Funder: National Institute on Aging
Primary Aim: In an R01 randomized controlled trial in 126 assisted living communities, examine implementation and staff and resident outcomes of two dementia care training programs (the Alzheimer’s Association® online essentiALZ® program, alone and in combination with Project ECHO, a virtual case-based learning program).
Project Timeline: August 2022 – August 2027
Project Website: https://tarheels.live/dementiacaretrainingal/
Opportunities for Collaboration/Involvement: Assisted living providers who are interested in enrolling their communities in this project are welcome to contact the study team.
North Carolina Adult Care Home Accreditation Pilot Program
Principal Investigator: Sheryl Zimmerman, PhD
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Funder: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Primary Aim: In a randomized statewide quality improvement project of accreditation in assisted living, determine the extent to which care and outcomes differ between communities that are and are not accredited.
Project Timeline: January 2022 – October 2024
Project Website: ncassistedlivingproject.org
Holistic Evaluation to Advance Research in Dementia (HEARD): Phased Interdisciplinary Infrastructure Development
Principal Investigator: Sheryl Zimmerman, PhD
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Funder: National Institute on Aging
Primary Aim: In an R33 measurement development study, evaluate two new measures developed in an R21 project using principles of human-centered design (i.e., a process measure of living well with dementia and an outcome measure of the quality of day) in community-based settings, assisted living, and nursing homes.
Project Timeline: September 2023 – May 2026
Opportunities for Collaboration/Involvement: Long-term care providers who are interested in enrolling their communities in this project are welcome to contact the study team.