Text message caregiver support for Alzheimer’s and related dementias
Official title: Testing the effects of a text message caregiver support intervention.
Funded at University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-11399340 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A text message-based support program helps caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias manage stress, learn caregiving skills, and get personalized help via on-demand messages and a coach.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | September 27, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $750,364 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG082306-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399340 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Caregivers of adults diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias who are 21 years or older.
✕Less likely to help
Caregivers who do not engage with the SMS program or who have different care needs may receive limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
If you care for a loved one with ADRD, this project tests a 6-month SMS program that delivers daily educational messages and self-care tips. Caregivers can request more information on specific topics by sending keywords and can chat with a coach for personalized support. The study will compare the SMS program to usual care in a randomized trial to see if it reduces caregiver distress and improves preparedness. The goal is to make evidence-based support more accessible, flexible, and scalable for families dealing with ADRD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, caregivers may experience less stress and better coping, with easier access to practical support.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary feasibility data suggest the approach is usable and acceptable, but efficacy in a randomized trial is not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perales Puchalt, Jaime — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Perales Puchalt, Jaime
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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.