The REMINDER4Care Program for Older Adults Supported by Residential and Daycare Facilities

Summary

Dementia incidence is rising, posing a public health challenge, but 45% of cases can be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors. Multidomain trials show that lifestyle changes can improve cognitive function and reduce dementia risk (like the FINGER trial). The REMINDER program, a Portuguese-based dementia risk reduction protocol, was developed for community-dwelling older adults aged 55 and above. However, older adults in Residential and Daycare Facilities (RDF) have distinct needs that demand program adaptation to ensure its relevance and effectiveness. In addition, more studies are needed to evaluate the impact of multidomain interventions with older adults in RDF.

To address these challenges, the REMINDER4Care program was developed as a tailored, multidomain intervention to reduce dementia risk. It emphasizes social and cognitive engagement and advances its adaptation and evaluation in Residential and Daycare Facilities (RDF). To assess efficacy, the investigators will perform a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Conditions

• Dementia Risk Factors
• Prevention
• Cognitive Health

Interventions

OTHER

REMINDER4Care

REMINDER4Care was an adapted version of the original REMINDER program, tailored to the characteristics, needs, and interests of older adults in RDF. The REMINDER4Care intervention includes 20 face-to-face group sessions, each approximately 60 to 75 minutes, held twice a week over ten weeks. This program aims to optimize memory, attention, executive function, and emotional regulation while promoting lifestyle habits that protect the aging brain. The sessions include brain health education, cognitive exercises, compensatory memory strategies, training for managing personally relevant goals (with goal setting), and stress management techniques (compassion-based therapies, relaxation methods, and mindfulness). Social support and emotion regulation strategies (like attention management, positive cognitive reappraisal, and reframing speech) were included to address psychosocial risk factors like stress, social isolation, and depression.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Coimbra

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Catarina L. B. Baptista, PhD Student · University of Coimbra

• Ana Rita E. S. Silva, Doctorate · University of Coimbra

• Margarida P. Lima, Doctorate · University of Coimbra

• Rosa M. Afonso, Doctorate · University of Beira Interior

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

SEQUENTIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-05-01

Primary Completion

2025-07-31

Completion

2026-12-31

Countries

• Portugal

Study Locations