Dyadic, App-supported Collaborative Care Intervention Trial for Family Caregivers of People Living With Dementia
Many people with dementia want to stay in their own homes, but caring for them can be very challenging for families. This study, called a clinical trial, is testing a new support system. It involves special nurses who are experts in dementia care, working closely with families. There's also a mobile phone app that provides easy access to these experts and memory clinics for advice and help. The main goals are to see if this support can help families continue caring at home, reduce the stress on caregivers, and potentially improve some difficult symptoms that people with dementia might experience. They'll compare this new approach to the usual care people currently receive.
At a glance
What is this study about?
When someone in the family has dementia, they often want to stay living in their own home for as long as possible. However, as dementia progresses, it can become increasingly tough for family members to provide all the care and support needed. This can be very demanding, leading to stress and exhaustion for the caregivers. This study is designed to help address these challenges and find better ways to support families.
Researchers are testing an innovative support programme. It brings together specially trained nurses who understand dementia care well. These nurses will work closely with both the person with dementia and their family caregiver. On top of that, there's a mobile app for smartphones that caregivers can use. This app will give them quick and easy ways to get advice from experts and connect with memory clinics if they need further help.
The main things the study hopes to find out are whether this combined support from nurses and the app can help families continue caring at home for longer, make caregiving less stressful, and potentially make difficult symptoms of dementia, like agitation or confusion, a bit easier to manage for the person living with the condition. They will compare how families doing this programme get on compared to those receiving the usual care they would normally get.
Key takeaways
- Tests a new support system for families caring for people with dementia at home.
- Combines specialist nursing support with a mobile phone app.
- Aims to reduce caregiver stress and help people with dementia stay at home longer.
- Compares this new approach to usual care.
- Focuses on improving home care and managing dementia symptoms.
Who may be eligible?
To be part of this study, the person with dementia must have an official diagnosis of dementia and be living in their own home, not in a care home. Also, the family member or informal caregiver who helps them must have access to a smartphone and the internet.
All participants need to be able to understand what the study involves and agree to take part in writing. If the person with dementia has a legal representative, that person can give consent on their behalf.
People who cannot give their agreement in writing won't be able to join the study.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Does your loved one have an official dementia diagnosis?
- Does your loved one live in their own home, not a care home?
- Do you, as the caregiver, have a smartphone and internet access?
- Are you able to provide your agreement to take part in writing?
What does participation involve?
The detailed information about what taking part involves isn't provided here, but typically, a study like this would involve a series of assessments for both the person with dementia and their caregiver over a period. This might include regular meetings or phone calls with the specialist nurse, using the mobile app to communicate and access resources, and filling out questionnaires to track how things are going. There would likely be initial assessments, then ongoing check-ins, and final assessments at the end of the study period. The total duration of participation isn't specified but usually lasts several months to a year or more. There are no medications involved in this study.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (12)
- Institut für Technik der InformationsverarbeitungVerified postcodeKarlsruhe, Germany
- Universität KonstanzVerified postcodeKonstanz, Germany
- Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie Reutlingen mbhVerified postcodeReutlingen, Germany
- AGAPLESION ElisabethenstiftVerified postcodeDarmstadt, Germany
- AOK NiedersachsenVerified postcodeHanover, Germany
- Universitätsmedizin GöttingenVerified postcodeGöttingen, Germany
- Universitätsmedizin GreifswaldVerified postcodeGreifswald, Germany
- DZNEVerified postcodeGreifswald, Germany
- Universitätsmedizin RostockVerified postcodeRostock, Germany
- Universität zu KölnVerified postcodeCologne, Germany
- Otto-von-Guericke-Universität MagdeburgApproximateMagdeburg, Germany
- IKK gesund plusApproximateMagdeburg, Germany
Common questions
What kind of dementia does my family member need to have?
Your family member needs to have an official diagnosis of dementia, but the specific type isn't mentioned as a restriction.
Do we have to live in a specific place to join?
The study mentions 'In Germany', so eligibility might currently be limited to participants in Germany. Please check with the study team for specific locations.
What if I don't have a smartphone or internet?
To be eligible, the informal caregiver needs to have access to a smartphone and the internet, as the study uses a mobile app for support.
Will I get money for taking part?
Whether participants receive compensation is not specified in this brief summary. You should ask the study team directly.
What if we decide we don't want to continue after starting?
You are free to leave the study at any time without explaining why. This won't affect the standard care you receive.
How to find out more
Bernhard Michalowsky, PD Dr. Dr.
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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