Negotiation training to help Alzheimer’s caregivers communicate with care teams
Official title: Negotiation Training to Optimize Caregiver Commuication in Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11615642 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A program called NegotiAge helps families caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease learn better negotiation skills to talk with doctors, insurers, and other caregivers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $795,983 |
| NIH project number | 2R56AG068421-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11615642 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Family caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer’s disease who are involved in medical decisions and care coordination.
✕Less likely to help
Caregivers who do not participate in the training or whose care situations are not engaged in conflict-related decision-making may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project builds on prior work to run a Stage 2 efficacy trial of NegotiAge, an online negotiation training program for family caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer’s disease. Caregivers practice real-world conflicts with patients, health providers, and family members through guided scenarios and AI-supported conversations. The goal is to reduce caregiver burden, lessen conflict avoidance, and improve problem-solving during medical and caregiving decisions. The study uses a rigorous trial design to measure how well the training works in reducing stress and improving communication for families navigating Alzheimer’s care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, caregivers may experience less stress and better communication with health teams, potentially improving care for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior pilot testing showed promising reductions in caregiver burden and improved conflict management skills.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lindquist, Lee a — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Lindquist, Lee a
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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.