# The EM-AD, a Novel Measure of Elder Mistreatment Among Dementia Family Caregivers

> **NIH NIH K01** · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · 2024 · $128,925

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Over 1 in 10 older adults is the victim of elder mistreatment. Rates of mistreatment are even higher
among older adults with dementia. Care of those with dementia often is the responsibility of unpaid family
and friends, with over 11 million unpaid caregivers providing support for individuals with Alzheimer's
disease and related dementias. While many caregivers report positive aspects of caring for their loved
one, it is also associated with increased burden and distress. Little research has examined the
phenomenon of elder mistreatment among individuals with dementia and their caregivers. The objectives
of this K01 project propose to create and validate a new measure of elder mistreatment, adapted to the
specific experiences of dementia caregivers and their care recipients. Such knowledge is necessary to
inform intervention and policy to reduce mistreatment among those with dementia and their caregivers.
Dr. Hancock will complete 5 training goals to enable him to become a successful, independent
researcher, capable of creating and validating new measures and designing and implementing
interventions. First, he will increase his knowledge and expertise in the fields of elder mistreatment and
dementia family caregiving. Second, he will develop the skills necessary to create a new measure,
translating from related research and soliciting and analyzing qualitative data from key stakeholder
interviews. Third, he will seek advanced quantitative training in the validation of newly created measures.
Fourth, he will obtain skills and knowledge necessary to translate research into an intervention and the
acquire the skills necessary to lead and run an NIH funded intervention project as PI. Fifth, he will develop
skills in independent grant writing and academic leadership. The two proposed research aims are
designed to complement the training goals. The first aim proposes to develop and refine a measure of
elder mistreatment among dementia family caregivers. Aim 1a will develop items and establish content
validity of a new measure of elder mistreatment, using feedback from key stakeholders including
caregivers and geriatric professionals. Aim 1b will pilot test the items generated in Aim 1a to inform
measure creation. Aim 2 proposes to validate the measure created in Aim 1. Aim 2a will seek to validate
the psychometrics properties of the newly created measure. Aim 2b will seek to examine prevalence and
incidence of elder mistreatment among dementia caregivers. Further, this sub-aim will seek to examine
correlates and predictors of mistreatment, to identify potential intervention targets to reduce mistreatment.
The proposed training plan and research proposal is well aligned with the NIA's initiative to develop and
train research scientists in aging. Moreover, it aligns with NIA's interests in promoting well-being, through
intervention, of dementia family caregivers. Finally, this proposal aligns with a recent funding
announcement wh...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10949380
- **Project number:** 1K01AG088486-01
- **Recipient organization:** WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** DAVID HANCOCK
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $128,925
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-20 → 2029-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10949380

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10949380, The EM-AD, a Novel Measure of Elder Mistreatment Among Dementia Family Caregivers (1K01AG088486-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10949380. Licensed CC0.

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