Enhancing Triadic Communication About Cognition for Older Adults With Alzheimer's Disease or Related Dementias Facing a Cancer Management Decision

Enhancing Triadic Communication About Cognition for Older Adults With Alzheimer's Disease or Related Dementias Facing a Cancer Management Decision

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.

PATIENTS:

Patient Inclusion Criteria:

1. Be age 65 or older
2. 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])
3. Have a clinical diagnosis of cancer (any type or stage)
4. Anticipate a potential decision about cancer-related management, as confirmed by the patient's primary medical oncology clinician.
5. Have a care partner willing and able to participate in the study
6. Are able to read and understand English. The communication coaching session will be delivered in English, thus necessitating this requirement.
7. 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:

1. Age 18 or over
2. Able to read and understand spoken English
3. Able to provide informed consent

Care partner exclusion criteria:

None

ONCOLOGY CLINICIAN:

Oncology clinician inclusion criteria:

1. Oncology clinicians affiliated with the Wilmot Cancer Institute
2. Do not intend to move or retire within the next 2 years.

Oncology clinician exclusion criteria:

None