Understanding the needs of extended family caregivers for individuals with dementia

Persons with Dementia and their Extended Family Caregivers: Service Use, Barriers and Needs

NIH-funded research Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ · NIH-10846636

This study is looking at how family members, like grandchildren and siblings, care for older adults with Alzheimer's or other dementias, focusing on the challenges they face and the ways they cope, so we can find better ways to support both the caregivers and the people they care for.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVirginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Blacksburg, United States)
Project IDNIH-10846636 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the experiences of extended family caregivers, such as grandchildren and siblings, who care for older adults with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. It aims to identify the strategies these caregivers use, the barriers they encounter when seeking support, and how these factors affect both the caregivers' and care recipients' well-being. By employing a mixed-methods approach, the study will gather qualitative and quantitative data to provide a comprehensive understanding of caregiving dynamics and service utilization. The findings will help inform better support systems for these caregivers and their loved ones.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include older adults with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia and their extended family caregivers.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have dementia or whose primary caregivers are spouses or adult children may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved support services and resources for extended family caregivers, enhancing the quality of care for individuals with dementia.

How similar studies have performed: While there is existing research on spousal and adult child caregivers, this study focuses on a less explored area of extended family caregiving, making it a novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Blacksburg, 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 dementia
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.