Helping caregivers and patients with Alzheimer's share memories and improve relationships
Official title: The Living Memory Home: Reducing Grief and Improving Relationships between Home-based Patients with ADRD and Their Family Caregivers
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-10836503 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how sharing memories through fun activities can help people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers feel closer and happier, while also making it easier for caregivers to handle tough decisions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $211,682 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AG077144-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10836503 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and their family caregivers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or who do not have a caregiver may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers by utilizing Reminiscence Therapy. The approach involves engaging caregivers and patients in activities that trigger memories of their shared past, fostering emotional connections and reducing feelings of grief and loneliness. By addressing the psychosocial voids created by the disease, the project aims to improve the well-being of caregivers and the overall relationship between them and the patients. The study will explore how these memory-sharing activities can alleviate caregiver pre-loss grief and enhance their ability to make medical decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the emotional well-being of both Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers, leading to better relationships and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that reminiscence therapy can be effective in improving emotional well-being in similar populations, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prigerson, Holly Gwen — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Prigerson, Holly Gwen
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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.