Supporting Caregivers of Loved Ones with Dementia After Their Loss

Addressing the Needs of Key Subgroups of Caregivers of Persons with Dementia After Loss Using Self-Determination Theory: A Mixed Methods Approach

NIH-funded research Arizona State University-Tempe Campus · NIH-11002308

This research wants to understand and help caregivers who have lost someone with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, focusing on their unique needs.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionArizona State University-Tempe Campus NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Scottsdale, United States)
Project IDNIH-11002308 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

When a loved one with dementia passes away, their caregivers often experience significant grief, loneliness, and reduced well-being. This project aims to understand how different types of caregivers, like spouses or adult children, experience this loss and what they need to cope. By using a framework called Self-Determination Theory, we hope to identify common needs and different ways these needs are met within these caregiver groups. The goal is to lay the groundwork for future support programs tailored to help caregivers through their bereavement.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants for future related studies would be individuals who have cared for someone with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias and are now experiencing bereavement after their loved one's passing.

Not a fit: Individuals who are not caregivers of persons with dementia or who have not experienced the loss of a loved one with dementia would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new support programs and interventions that significantly improve the well-being and reduce the suffering of bereaved dementia caregivers.

How similar studies have performed: This project builds on existing theories of self-determination and observations of bereaved caregivers, aiming to apply these insights in a novel way to develop targeted interventions.

Where this research is happening

Scottsdale, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndrome
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.