Understanding the support networks of caregivers for people with Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Capturing the complexities of informal caregiver networks: New measures to improve outcomes for informal care partners of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD)
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10728350 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different people, like friends and family, help care for those with Alzheimer's and similar conditions, so we can better support both the caregivers and the loved ones they care for.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,987,023 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1AG083030-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10728350 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include informal caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, particularly those from diverse backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in caregiving or do not have a caregiver network may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the experiences of informal caregivers, or care partners, who support individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It aims to develop a new measurement system that captures the complexities of caregiving networks, including non-traditional caregivers such as friends and blended family members. By understanding these diverse caregiving experiences, the research seeks to improve the health and well-being of both caregivers and those they care for. The study will utilize advanced data analysis techniques to gather insights from various caregiver networks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved support systems and resources for caregivers, enhancing their well-being and the quality of care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on primary caregivers, this approach to understanding non-traditional caregiver networks is relatively novel and has not been extensively studied.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carlozzi, Noelle E. — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Carlozzi, Noelle E.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Negotiation training to help Alzheimer’s caregivers communicate with care teams
A program called NegotiAge helps families caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease learn better negotiation skills to talk with doctors, insurers, and other caregivers.
-
Understanding and supporting informal care partners of people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias
A new project aims to create smarter, easier ways to measure and understand the experiences of people who care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
-
Caregiver networks around people with Alzheimer’s disease
A researcher at Northwestern University is testing a social-network method to map all the family and friend caregivers surrounding someone with Alzheimer’s to understand how relationships help or hinder care.
-
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.
-
LifeBioTALK: tablet avatar conversations to engage people with Alzheimer's and ease caregiver stress
A tablet app uses a human-like avatar to speak, show videos, and interact with people living with Alzheimer's to reduce loneliness and make caregiving easier.
-
Using a robot to help care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease
This study is looking at how a friendly robot can help people with Alzheimer’s by assisting them with everyday tasks and providing companionship, while also making life easier for their caregivers.
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.