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Before looking for a clinical trial to join, you need to talk to your health care provider about your health. He or she can discuss with you the possible risks and benefits of being in a trial. If you are a caregiver for someone who can't decide for themselves about a trial, and you don't have a power of attorney, you should also talk to a lawyer.
Remember, clinical trials don't accept everyone. Researchers are looking for specific types of participants to meet the needs of the study, so you may not be eligible. Some trials, however, are looking for healthy older volunteers. If you are interested, keep trying. Most participants in clinical trials feel they get more medical attention, and they are helping themselves and others to live longer and healthier lives.
Here are ways to find a clinical trial.
- Your health care provider may know about trials that you can join.
- The National Institutes of Health has a Web site called ClinicalTrials.gov that you can search, found at
http://clinicaltrials.gov.
- Support groups often have lists of trials.
- Newspapers in large cities often have advertisements for trials at nearby hospitals, clinics or universities.
To find studies for older people, use one or more of these terms in your search: aged, elderly, senior, age > 55, or 65 years and above.
Here is how you can enroll in a clinical trial.
- Contact the clinical trial or study coordinator. You can find this information in the trial description. Your health care provider may also want to talk to this person about your health conditions.
- Set up a screening appointment. During this appointment, researchers will ask you questions and may test you to see if you meet the needs of the study.
From the National Institute on Aging
03 January 2008
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/participatinginclinicaltrials/findingatrial/01.html
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