Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) awarded a $783,984 Project Grant to The Regents of the University of Colorado (University of Colorado-Denver) on March 15, 2026, under the Aging Research program (CFDA 93.866) to support the GAPCAREAD multisite randomized controlled trial (RCT). This five-year initiative, extending through February 28, 2031, will test the efficacy of an adapted emergency department (ED)-based fall prevention intervention for 350 persons living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregivers presenting to the ED following a fall. The GAPCAREAD intervention leverages an established fall prevention protocol by coordinating medication therapy management performed by pharmacists, brief physical therapy assessments and mobility improvement plans conducted by physical therapists, and electronically transmitted action plans co-created with patients and caregivers that are shared with outpatient clinicians at discharge.

Building upon prior successful research demonstrating 66% fewer fall-related ED visits at six months, this project delivers evidence-based clinical services and research outcomes designed to address a significant care gap for persons living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias who experience disproportionately high fall rates, fall-related treatment costs, and adverse outcomes following ED visits. The grant supports rigorous clinical trial infrastructure, interdisciplinary team collaboration, and implementation of a dementia-adapted intervention tailored through prior patient and caregiver feedback to enhance post-fall care coordination and fall prevention outcomes in this vulnerable population.