Rural Dementia Caregivers: Building Knowledge and Skills for Caregivers in Rural Areas
Official title: The Rural Family Dementia Caregivers (RFD Caregivers) Program: Developing Caregiving Knowledge and Skills for a Disproportionately Burdened Caregiver Population
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11320493 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A program to give rural families caring for someone with dementia the knowledge and skills they need, delivered online and aligned with Georgia’s dementia care system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 18, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $651,391 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG099377-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11320493 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are family caregivers of people living with dementia in rural Georgia who engage with GMN and MACs.
✕Less likely to help
Caregivers not connected to Georgia Memory Net or not enrolled in the Tele-Savvy program may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will embed an evidence-based online caregiver education program (Tele-Savvy) into Georgia Memory Net, the state's dementia care network. It targets rural families who face limited access to primary and specialty dementia care and support services. Through collaboration with Memory Assessment Clinics, caregivers will receive structured psychoeducation and practical guidance to manage dementia-related challenges at home. The approach aims to improve caregiver confidence, reduce stress, and enhance care planning for people living with dementia in rural communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, rural caregivers may experience less burden and better caregiving outcomes, with improved care for loved ones living with dementia.
How similar studies have gone: Prior caregiver psychoeducation programs have shown benefits; embedding into a state care network is a novel integration effort.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hepburn, Ken W — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Hepburn, Ken W
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Tailored mobile app support for Hispanic caregivers of people with dementia
This project adapts a secure smartphone app with remote coaching to help Hispanic family caregivers manage dementia-related behaviors.
-
Understanding how family caregivers help residents with advanced dementia in assisted living at the end of life
This study looks at how family and friends help take care of people with advanced dementia living in assisted living facilities, especially during their final days, and it aims to understand how this support affects both the caregivers and the residents.
-
Improving support for family caregivers of dementia patients
This study is testing a new training program called EnACT that helps family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's and related dementias by using creative activities to improve their well-being and the quality of life for both caregivers and their loved ones.
-
Adapting a mobile app to support Hispanic caregivers of dementia patients
This study is all about making a helpful mobile app for Hispanic caregivers who look after loved ones with Alzheimer's and similar conditions, so they can get the support they need in a way that fits their culture and challenges.
-
Adaptation of PATH-Pain for Dementia Family Caregivers Living with Persistent Pain and Negative Emotions
Aimed at helping dementia family caregivers who live with ongoing pain and negative feelings by adapting a pain-management program to fit their caregiving needs.
-
Activities4Care: a digital assistive platform to boost well-being for people with dementia and their caregivers
A new digital platform will provide personalized, meaningful activities for people living with dementia to improve mood, behavior, and quality of life, with guidance for caregivers.
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.