The Recruitment Accelerator for Diversity in Aging Research, Cognitive Loss & Dementia (RADAR-CLD) project is a replicable model framework and process for recruitment and retention of diverse participants in cognitive and aging research. RADAR is funded by a National Institute on Aging (NIA) grant and run by teams at Mount Sinai and SUNY Upstate with support from Recruitment Partners. The RADAR grant project is composed of two main components: Research Accelerator and Community Research Liaison.
The Research Accelerator is made up of a diverse group of researchers and clinicians along with community organizers, faith-based leaders, geriatrics service providers, caregivers, and older adults. The Research Accelerators provide researchers with early input on their recruitment strategy and study design to ensure the study design addresses key issues of equity, recruitment, and retention. Researchers can bring ideas, questions, and their projects to the Research Accelerators for review so that protocols are developed to facilitate diverse recruitment. The Accelerators provide researchers with recommendations and a written report.
The Community Research Liaison (CRL) fosters an environment of trust and mutual respect between community members and researchers so that targeted members of a specific community feel open to and enthusiastic about participating in research.
RADAR develops and disseminates tools and manuals to increase and maximize diversity in clinical trials. The RADAR model, with its and research accelerator and CRL, is an effective approach for engaging diverse communities and increasing their representation in clinical trials.
Planning cognitive research in aging? Need to ensure you have diverse populations in your research? We can help. Connect with the RADAR team today HERE. Learn more about RADAR HERE.
Recruitment Partners' Managing Partner Mike Splaine and colleague Dr. Mary Sano will be attending CTAD 2022 conference. Dr. Mary Sano's poster "Recruitment Accelerator for Diversity in Aging Research - Cognitive Loss and Dementia (RADAR-CLD): Perspectives on Registry Recruitment" will be presented on site at the conference.
CTAD 2022 will be held in San Francisco on 11/29- 12/2.
Register for the conference HERE.
'Achieving diversity in study populations: the importance of community engagement' was recently published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The article outlines how the majority of clinical trials have historically underrepresented older adults, non-white participants, and women and how to effectively recruit and retain diverse populations in research.
Barriers to participation among racial and ethnic groups may include mistrust of the clinical research system due to historical abuses, aspects of the trial design such as inadequate recruitment and retention efforts, frequency of study visits, time and resource constraints for participants, transportation and participation conflicting with caregiver or family responsibilities. In addition, language and cultural differences, health literacy, religion, limited access within the health care system and a lack of awareness and knowledge about what a clinical trial is and what it means to participate may impact clinical trial participation among racial and ethnic minority populations.
The article outlines a model infrastructure grounded in community engagement that is proving to be effective in increasing the interest and participation diverse populations, particularly of older African Americans in research. This article was authored by Dr. Sharon A. Brangman MD, ASGF, a partner and colleague to Recruitment Partners, Professor of Geriatrics Medicine in SUNY Upstate Medical University, and Co-Principal Investigator at RADAR-CLD.
Access the article and summary HERE.
Jacquelyn Revere was a full-time caregiver of her mom with Alzheimer's up until her mom Lynn Hindmon passed earlier this year.
Jacquelyn is well known on TikTok and other social media channels especially among the caregiver community. There are, at least thousands of people who post about dementia and the difficulties of caring for a loved one with the disease. Over the past few years, Revere's account, @MomofMyMom, has become wildly popular, with more than 650,000 followers. Many of her most ardent fans have told her that they feel like they personally know her and her mom. Revere has both found a supportive community, and helped build one.
Learn more Jacquelyn Revere and the online caregiver community HERE.
Earlier this month, Hilarity for Chairty (HFC) hosted a fantastic group of dementia caregiver social media influencers.These social media mavens not only share their personal stories but have built a global community of dementia caregivers sharing tips, resources, and education on Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving. Hosted by actress, Ayden Mayeri.
Learn more HERE.
Do you have caregivers of persons with AD in your network that may benefit from participating in positive emotion research? CLICK HERE to view the LEAF Study flyer or visit the study website.
Here is a testimonial from one of the participants: “I enjoyed this study for a number of reasons. The one stand out is that it was time "to myself" and it was meant to improve my life. Grateful for being part of it.”
Interested in joining the study? Fill out this pre-screener survey.
The UC San Diego Alzheimer's study is seeking participants who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, aged 50-83, and who live in the San Diego area. Study participants receive Memantine, an FDA approved medication for Alzheimer's disease and participants are compensated for their time.
Interested in learning how RP makes connections between care communities and researchers?
Email us today for more information.