Overview
Building upon prior work, the investigator team developed a communication intervention for older adults with ADRD who are considering a decision about cancer management (adapted intervention: COACH-Cog). The investigators hypothesize that for patients with dual diagnoses of ADRD and cancer, COACH-Cog will increase autonomy support of care partners and patients in the decision-making process, leading to greater acknowledgement and support of cognitive concerns and cognitive-related goals, thereby improving goal concordant care. The investigators are conducting a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT; cluster randomized by physician) including approximately 45 oncology clinicians and 130 patient/care partner dyads evaluating the effect of COACH-Cog on care partner and patient autonomy support, care partner well-being, goal-concordance, and communication.
Eligibility
- PATIENTS
Patient Inclusion Criteria:
- Be age 65 or older
- Have a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementia (ADRD [Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, or dementia of unknown subtype])
- Have a clinical diagnosis of cancer (any type or stage)
- Anticipate a potential decision about cancer-related management, as confirmed by the patient's primary medical oncology clinician.
- Have a care partner willing and able to participate in the study
- Are able to read and understand English. The communication coaching session will be delivered in English, thus necessitating this requirement.
- Be able to provide informed consent (as measured by UBACC) or have a Legally Authorized Representative to provide informed consent
Patient Exclusion Criteria:
Patient exclusion criteria: None
CARE PARTNER:
Care partner inclusion criteria:
- Age 18 or over
- Able to read and understand spoken English
- Able to provide informed consent
Care partner exclusion criteria:
None
ONCOLOGY CLINICIAN:
Oncology clinician inclusion criteria:
- Oncology clinicians affiliated with the Wilmot Cancer Institute
- Do not intend to move or retire within the next 2 years.
Oncology clinician exclusion criteria:
None