The effects of caregiving on health outcomes for older adults with dementia and their caregivers

Older Adults Living with Dementia and Their Informal Caregivers: Reciprocal Impacts of Caregiving and Serious Illness on Health Care Outcomes

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11052615

This study looks at how taking care of someone with dementia affects both the caregiver and the person with dementia, aiming to find ways to improve health care for both of them.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-11052615 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the complex relationship between older adults living with dementia and their informal caregivers, focusing on how caregiving affects health care outcomes for both parties. It aims to understand the reciprocal impacts of serious illness on the health care utilization of both the person living with dementia and their caregiver. By analyzing these interactions, the study seeks to inform future interventions and policies that can better support both caregivers and patients. The research will utilize a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to gather comprehensive data on health care use and outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include older adults diagnosed with dementia and their informal caregivers, such as family members or friends providing unpaid care.

Not a fit: Patients who are not living with dementia or do not have informal caregivers may not receive benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health care strategies and support systems for both older adults with dementia and their caregivers.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding the dynamics of caregiving can lead to significant improvements in health outcomes, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, 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 syndromeAlzheimer's Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.