The Holmstad joins in national research trial to study cognitive rehabilitation therapy
The Holmstad in Batavia has been selected to collaborate with a physician from the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic, a Ph.D. nurse researcher from Case Western Reserve University, and Eliza Jennings, a nationally recognized nonprofit leader in aging services in Cleveland, Ohio. The collaboration will include eight additional aging services organizations from throughout the United States that will participate in the national research study focused on SAIDO Learning.
The research trial will test the effectiveness of the cognitive rehabilitation therapy, SAIDO Learning, on symptoms such as apathy and depressed mood, quality of life and cognitive and physical functioning in older adults living with mild to moderate dementia. Subjects among the intervention groups will participate in SAIDO Learning (known as learning therapy in Japan), a non-pharmacological treatment developed by Kumon Institute of Education (Kumon) of Japan. Subjects in the control groups will participate in a cognitive/social stimulation or enhanced socialization activity.
A national research trial of cognitive rehabilitation therapy is aligned with former President Barack Obama's National Alzheimer's Project Act and the goal to develop effective prevention and treatment modalities by 2025.
"SAIDO Learning was shown to improve symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias in research trials conducted in Japan, as well as in the United States in 2011 at Eliza Jennings in Cleveland, Ohio," said Amanda Gosnell, executive director. "This new research trial will be national in scope. Residents from The Holmstad will participate for six months and the entire trial will last one year. The trial is scheduled for launch in early 2017."
Co-principal investigators Michael E. Felver, M.D., medical director, Center for Rehabilitation, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and Patricia A. Higgins, RN, Ph.D., associate professor and researcher, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University, will lead the trial.
Five aging services organizations (ASOs) have been recruited to serve as sites for the Intervention Group and four ASOs were recruited to serve as the control group sites.
The intervention group consists of the following aging services organizations: The Holmstad, a Covenant Retirement Community in Batavia, Ill.; Deupree Cottages, an Episcopal Retirement Homes community in Cincinnati, Ohio; Eliza Jennings Assisted Living Community at Devon Oaks in Westlake, Ohio; Meridian Village, a Lutheran Senior Services Community in Glen Carbon, Ill.; and Good Shepherd Home in Fostoria, Ohio.
The control/comparison group is composed of the following aging services organizations: Laurel Lake, Hudson, Ohio; Chapel Hill, a United Church Homes community in Canal Fulton, Ohio; Foulkeways at Gwynedd in Gwynedd, Penn.; Village at Sprenkle Drive, a SpiriTrust Lutheran community in York, Penn.
"Ultimately, the goal is to significantly enhance the quality of life for older adults while reducing the level of care and subsequent costs of care," said Gosnell. "If the investigational treatment is proven to be effective, the national study could potentially serve as the basis for justifying reimbursement for cognitive rehabilitation therapy, thus, making SAIDO Learning available for all older adults living with this dreadful disease."
About The Holmstad
The Holmstad, a faith-based, nonprofit continuing care retirement community, is located at 700 W. Fabyan Parkway, Batavia. It is administered by Covenant Retirement Communities, one of the nation's largest nonprofit senior services providers. Covenant Retirement Communities serves 5,000 residents at 15 retirement communities nationwide and is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church. For more information on The Holmstad, call (877) 226-7310 or visit www.TheHolmstad.org. For more information on SAIDO Learning, visit www.covenantretirement.saidolearning.com or call (877) 591-0427.