Help for caregivers of people with dementia to find depression screening and treatment
Improving screening and access to treatment for depression in care partners of people living with dementia
This project adapts an online tool to help caregivers of people with dementia get screened for depression and connected to treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lebanon, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11169733 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be using an adapted version of an online platform (iPath*D) designed to identify caregivers at risk for depression and link them with both online and local treatment options. The team will change the content and how the tool is offered so it fits the needs and challenges of dementia caregivers, especially those in rural areas. Then they will test whether the pathway is easy to use, acceptable, and practical for caregivers to follow. Feedback from participants will guide final changes before wider use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who are unpaid caregivers or family members of someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia—particularly those who are worried about depression or live in rural areas—are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People who are not caregivers for someone with dementia, those needing immediate inpatient psychiatric care, or individuals without any internet access may not benefit from this online pathway.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, caregivers could find depression sooner and more easily get evidence-based treatment, including remote options for those in rural areas.
How similar studies have performed: Related online screening and referral tools, including the original iPath*D used in rural cancer settings, have shown promise, but applying this approach specifically to dementia caregivers is a new adaptation.
Where this research is happening
Lebanon, United States
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic — Lebanon, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mistler, Lisa a — Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic
- Study coordinator: Mistler, Lisa a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.