Thomas P. Raley Foundation gift fuels UC Davis dementia caregiver education and research
By Nadine A Yehya and Kate Asche
Gift expands The DICE Approach caregiver training, supports Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
(SACRAMENTO)
UC Davis Health will expand Alzheimer’s research and caregiver education and resources, thanks to a gift from the Thomas P. Raley Foundation.
The $500,000 gift from the Sacramento-based foundation will be divided equally between the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. The funding will support early-career researchers and boost UC Davis Health’s engagement with caregivers of patients with dementia living in Sacramento, particularly those who are Spanish-speaking.
Improving dementia caregiving now: The DICE Approach
Almost 15 millionAmericans provide care for a person with dementia. These patients may experience agitation, aggression, wandering and anxiety, which can be a challenge for caregivers.
A participant in the U.S. POINTER Study completes an assessment of her walking ability, known as a gait assessment.
Helen C. Kalesis a UC Davis Health psychiatrist who specializes in geriatric patients. She co-createdThe DICE Approach, which stands for describe, investigate, create and evaluate. This simple, structuredscientificmethod helps caregivers assess and manage dementia-related behavioral symptoms. DICE is now used internationally in homes and clinics.
In partnership with theUC Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities, Psychiatry is able to offer Spanish-language DICE training for dementia caregivers, thanks to the foundation’s gift. In addition, the gift will fund the third edition of the DICE manual and upgrades to the program’s website, which offersfree DICE training.
“We are grateful to the Thomas P. Raley Foundation for helping us make the DICE training available to more people. We know from the success of the second edition of the manual, the web-based training and an initial Spanish-language training in Sacramento, that there is a significant need for these tools to help caregivers manage often-distressing behaviors,” said Kales, the chair of theDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciencesand the Joe P. Tupin Professor of Psychiatry.
Seeding future brain health with innovation grants
Recent center work includes participation in the landmarkU.S. POINTER Study. The two-year, multi-site clinical trial is testing two different lifestyle interventions in more than 2,000 older adults at risk for cognitive decline and dementia. Early results have shown that lifestyle changes improve cognition in older adults at risk of cognitive decline.
“As the home of international thought leaders, the center continuously seeks strong partners in the pursuit of healthy brain aging for all. Supporting junior investigators is a primary focus at our center, something we view as integral to creating that future,” saidRachel Whitmer, who co-directs the center. Whitmer is both a national and site principal investigator for the U.S. POINTER Study.
“This gift will provide pilot grants for early-career researchers to advance the science of risk and resilience related to Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment,” said Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center co-directorCharles DeCarli.
About the Thomas P. Raley Foundation
The Thomas P. Raley Foundation is committed to inspiring philanthropy in the communities served by the Raley’s family of grocery stores. Earlier this year, the foundation turned its focus to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
“We recognize how fortunate our region is to have this national expertise right here at UC Davis,” said Claudia Doerhoff, president of the foundation and granddaughter of the founder Thomas P. Raley. “The foundation seeks to amplify UC Davis Health’s impact in our community and to inspire others to join us in funding this important work.”
Note:The Thomas P. Raley Foundation operates separately from the Raley business.
