Daily Medication Decisions of Dementia Caregivers

Principal Investigator: Carolyn Pickering, PhD

Study Contact

Name: Carolyn Pickering

Email Address: Carolyn.e.pickering@uth.tmc.edu

Phone Number: 713-500-2087

This study is currently looking for people who:

• Are caregivers who are 18 years old or older and live (co-reside) with the care recipient
• Are care recipients who are 18 years old or older and have Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias
• Have access to the internet
• Do not have active hospice orders

Study Description:

The purpose of this study is to describe patterns of medication administration, chemical restraint, and associated outcomes for family caregiving in Alzheimer’s dementia and related dementias.

Both the caregiver and the care recipient will be enrolled in this study. Participants will complete a baseline survey in 2 parts at enrollment which asks about their background, experiences with caregiving and factors related to their wellbeing. They will also be asked to provide a list of care recipient medications including strength and dosage. Caregivers will then complete a daily diary questionnaire once a day for 31 days. The diary questionnaires will capture different daily events the caregiver experienced such as managing the relative’s behavioral symptoms or care provided as well as medication administration. These data will be added to medical record data of the care recipients and vital records data on mortality.

All participants (both caregiver and care recipient) will be compensated for their time.