Volunteering-in-Place for Apathy
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This is a research study to test two different interventions to decrease apathy in assisted living residents with some memory issues. Apathy makes older adults not feel like doing much activity. This study is completely voluntary and will not affect the care you receive at your assisted living community.
The two possible interventions are 1) participation in a volunteering opportunity within the assisted living community OR 2) participation in a guided current events group within the assisted living community. These activities would be in addition to any other regular activities you participate in within the assisted living community. Both activities would take place three days per week for approximately 30 minutes. You would be randomly assigned (like a coin flip) to which intervention you would do. You do not get to choose. You would participate in the activity for a total of 6 months.
In addition to participating in the intervention (either volunteering or current events), you will be asked to answer some questions about your memory, level of activity, mood, confidence in your ability to do a volunteer job, and feelings of usefulness. You will answer these questions at baseline (before the activity begins, at 3 months after doing the intervention activity, and aging at 6 months after starting the interventions activity. You will also be asked to wear a MotionWatch for 5 days at each time point (baseline, 3months and 6 months). A motion watch measures your level of activity. It feels like wearing a regular watch. You will be in the study for 6 months total.
Risks to participating in this study are minimal and include privacy (other people may find out you are in the study), confidentiality of the data collected if someone other than study staff accesses your records, fatigue with answering the questionnaires, and some mild discomfort with wearing the MotionWatch. This is also a minor risk that you could fall or otherwise harm yourself getting to or participating in your intervention activity.
The benefit of participating in this study include possible enjoyment of participating in the intervention activity.
Who Is on the Research Team?
Jennifer Klinedinst, PhD, MPH, RN
Principal Investigator
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for people aged 55 or older who live in certain assisted living communities, speak English, have mild to moderate memory problems and some apathy, can follow simple instructions, and are expected to stay at least a year.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Volunteering in Place Program
Trial Overview
The study compares two activities—volunteering within the community or joining a guided current events group—to see which helps reduce apathy. Participants are randomly assigned to one activity for about 30 minutes, three times per week over six months.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Participants in this arm will engage in a volunteer activity in the assisted living facility chosen based on their interests and capabilities.
Participants in this arm will engage in a current events group
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Collaborator
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