Token-Based Community Network to Support Family Caregivers of Adults with Alzheimer's and Related Dementias
Official title: Token-Based Community Network to Help Family Caregivers of Adults with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
Funded at Help-Full INC · NIH-11407115 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new app-based program called Help-Full aims to help family and friend caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias feel more supported and connected while managing caregiving tasks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Help-Full INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (oakland, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 22, 2026 |
| Project end | September 21, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $499,834 |
| NIH project number | 1R43AG099419-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11407115 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Family and friend caregivers of adults (21+) living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias who are willing to use a mobile app and engage in community support.
✕Less likely to help
Caregivers who are unwilling or unable to use mobile apps or participate in community-based activities may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project creates a user-friendly app that uses tokens to encourage positive social interactions and practical help among caregivers and volunteer supporters. It focuses on non-medical help and daily tasks, aiming to boost caregiver well-being and the quality of care provided to people living with AD/ADRD. The study will involve caregiver participants who use the app over a defined period to see if token-based community connections improve mood, reduce loneliness, and support sustainable caregiving. The emphasis is on real-world use, social connection, and emotional support rather than clinical treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, caregivers may experience less loneliness and stress and better well-being, which can also improve care for people with dementia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests social connections and positive emotion can improve caregiver well-being, with this approach adapting it to a token-based community model.
Where this research is happening
-
Help-Full INC
oakland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gallagher, Jenny — Help-Full INC
- Study coordinator: Gallagher, Jenny
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Social media support for Alzheimer's caregivers powered by AI chat help
A caregiver-focused program for families of people with Alzheimer's and related dementias uses an AI-enhanced social media approach to provide daily supportive messages and online discussions.
-
Smartphone-based emotional regulation for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease
A brief smartphone-based program helps unpaid family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s or related dementias manage emotions and reduce stress.
-
Transitional Care for Alzheimer’s Patients in SNFs and their Caregivers
A program tested in skilled nursing facilities to help people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias transition home or to other care settings with less stress for caregivers.
-
How past trauma and stress affect caregivers and people with dementia
This work looks at how past and ongoing traumatic experiences and stress affect the mental and physical well-being of family caregivers and the people they care for with Alzheimer's or related dementias.
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Peer Caregiver Navigation for Alzheimer’s: Support by a paraprofessional peer coach
A caregiver-support program led by trained paraprofessionals helps family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease manage stress, learn coping skills, and access peer support.
-
Recharge Behavioral Therapy for Alzheimer's Caregivers
This project offers a new behavioral therapy program to help family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease manage their stress and feelings of sadness.
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.