Caregivers Study: Taking Care of Your Health While Caring For Someone You Love
Navin Kaushal
Primary Investigator
Brief description of study
Caring for Someone Else? Caring for Others Starts With Caring for Yourself.
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia is important work—but it can also be stressful and exhausting.
Many caregivers, especially African Americans, put their own health last. As a caregiver, you deserve care, too. Our study is about supporting caregivers by helping them build a simple, at-home exercise routine right from home to improve their health and well-being.
Exercise can help reduce stress, improve mood, and increase energy. This study offers free exercise equipment and virtual support to help caregivers get started and stay active.
Detailed description of study
This study offers a 6-month home-based exercise program with virtual support to help caregivers take care of themselves while continuing to care for their loved one.
As a participant, you will receive:
- Exercise equipment mailed to your home (this includes a seated exercise machine, a heart-rate monitor, and a physical activity tracker)
- Live online exercise sessions and education
- A few short online surveys to complete during the study
- Ongoing support through texts and short phone check-ins
All study activities are remote and virtual and can be completed from the comfort of your home—no travel is needed.
Important Things To Know:
- All study activities are virtual
- You’ll need to feel comfortable being on camera during group sessions (being on camera helps caregivers connect and support each other)
- When the study ends, you’ll return the equipment using a prepaid shipping box or USPS curbside pickup.
- All participants who complete the study will be eligible to enter into a drawing for one of the 6 elliptical machines or 6 tablets. Remaining participants who complete the study will receive compensation for their time.
Eligibility of study
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:
- Conditions: Healthy
-
Age: 18 years or above
-
Gender: All
- Self-identify as Black/African American
- Are a family caregiver who provides unpaid care or support to an adult with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia
- Can read and speak English
- Are in good enough health to exercise safely
- Have an email address (or are willing to get help setting one up)