UC Davis Health is set to enhance its Alzheimer’s research and caregiver education programs, thanks to a generous $500,000 donation from the Thomas P. Raley Foundation. This significant contribution will be split equally between the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, aiming to support early-career researchers and engage more effectively with dementia caregivers in Sacramento, especially those who are Spanish-speaking.
The announcement comes as nearly 15 million Americans continue to provide care for individuals with dementia, a condition often accompanied by challenging symptoms such as agitation, aggression, wandering, and anxiety. These symptoms can be particularly demanding for caregivers, highlighting the need for effective support and education.
Improving Dementia Caregiving: The DICE Approach
Helen C. Kales, a UC Davis Health psychiatrist specializing in geriatric patients, has co-developed The DICE Approach, a structured method designed to help caregivers manage dementia-related behavioral symptoms. DICE, which stands for describe, investigate, create, and evaluate, is now implemented globally in both home and clinical settings.
Thanks to the Raley Foundation’s gift, UC Davis, in collaboration with the Center for Reducing Health Disparities, will offer Spanish-language DICE training for dementia caregivers. Additionally, the funding will support the publication of the third edition of the DICE manual and improvements to the program’s website, which provides free training resources.
“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, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Joe P. Tupin Professor of Psychiatry.
Seeding Future Brain Health with Innovation Grants
The Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at UC Davis is part of a network of 35 National Institute on Aging-funded centers nationwide, focusing on comprehensive care for Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The center’s recent endeavors include participation in the landmark U.S. POINTER Study, a two-year, multi-site clinical trial involving over 2,000 older adults at risk for cognitive decline. Preliminary findings suggest that lifestyle changes can enhance cognition in those at risk.
Rachel Whitmer, co-director of the center and a principal investigator for the U.S. POINTER Study, emphasized the importance of supporting junior investigators. “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,” she stated.
“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,” added Charles DeCarli, co-director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
About the Thomas P. Raley Foundation
The Thomas P. Raley Foundation is dedicated to fostering philanthropy within the communities served by the Raley’s family of grocery stores. Recently, the foundation has turned its attention to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, recognizing the critical need for research and caregiver support in this area.
“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 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.”
While the Thomas P. Raley Foundation operates independently from the Raley business, its commitment to community support and health initiatives remains unwavering. The move represents a significant step towards enhancing dementia care and research, with the potential to inspire further philanthropic efforts.
As UC Davis Health continues to expand its outreach and research capabilities, the impact of the Raley Foundation’s gift will likely resonate throughout the region, offering hope and resources to countless caregivers and patients facing the challenges of dementia.
