PERSEVERE: Peer mentor support and caregiver education for Lewy body dementia
Official title: PERSEVERE in Lewy Body Dementia: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Peer Mentor Support and Caregiver Education
Funded at Rush University Medical Center · NIH-11395299 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A caregiver-focused program using peer mentors and education to help families caring for Lewy body dementia and reduce caregiver strain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $600,793 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG079128-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395299 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Family caregivers of people with Lewy body dementia who are willing to participate in a caregiver education and peer-support program.
✕Less likely to help
Caregivers who do not engage with the program or whose loved ones do not have Lewy body dementia may not experience benefits.
What this research studies
This project tests a peer-led education program called PERSEVERE designed for family caregivers of people with Lewy body dementia. Caregivers receive structured learning and ongoing support from trained peers to manage daily challenges, reduce stress, and improve quality of life. The study will compare outcomes such as caregiver well-being and healthcare use to see if the program helps prevent crises like hospital visits. The approach builds on prior successful caregiver interventions and emphasizes practical skills, confidence, and access to resources for families. The trial runs in a real-world setting to see how well the program works when used at home and in the community.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lessen caregiver burden and improve care for people with Lewy body dementia, potentially reducing hospitalizations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous caregiver interventions with peer support have shown improvements in caregiver outcomes, supporting the potential usefulness of this approach for LBD.
Where this research is happening
-
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fleisher, Jori Erin — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Fleisher, Jori Erin
Related research
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Support and education for caregivers of people with Lewy Body Dementia
This study is looking at how a support program and helpful resources can make life easier for caregivers of people with Lewy Body Dementia, so they feel more confident and better able to handle the challenges of caregiving.
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A dementia-focused project aims to tailor hospital-to-home or SNF care transitions to fit each patient and caregiver, improving safety and reducing readmissions.
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Peer support program helping Black families caring for loved ones with dementia
A family caregiver support program led by peers helps Black families caring for older relatives with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, delivered virtually.
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.