New Every Day Technologies for Alzheimer’s Care Grant: Dr. Gallagher-Thompson, Stanford University
Just last week, we awarded a special type of grant we call an Every Day Technologies for Alzheimer’s Care grant to Dolores Gallagher-Thompson, Ph.D., professor of research in the department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stanford University for her project “Global Caregiving: iSupport for Dementia Family Caregivers.”
Caregiving for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease is a worldwide issue, and the needs of family caregivers far outpace the support from health systems, particularly in low and middle-income countries.
With this grant, Dr. Gallagher-Thompson is teaming up with the World Health Organization to develop an interactive, web-based caregiver support tool (iSupport) that is accessible via computer, tablet and mobile phone. They hope to conduct a trial with 430 users in Bangalore, India where internet penetration is high and collaboration is secured with the NIMHANS Alzheimer’s research center. This project will compare the iSupport interactive tool to more traditional caregiver education materials.
The ultimate goal of the study will be to reduce caregiver stress measured by the Zarit Burden Scale. This tool can be immediately disseminated within India, and readily scaled to other countries, potentially affecting millions of caregivers.
For more about the Alzheimer’s Association research grants program, visit www.alz.org/research.
Helpful information related to this story
Alzheimer’s Association Research Center
More about Dr. Gallagher-Thompson
More about Dr. Gallagher Thompson’s Alzheimer’s Association-funded study
WOW REALLY! There aren’t enough caregivers in the USA to reap the benefits of this grant that we have to go to India? REALLY? I took care of my grandmother with Dementia for 10 years and there were LOTS of people in California that could use this help. WHY INDIA? WHY NOT US?
I agree , but is you need help near major cities SF,La , New York has a lot of resources including this email newsletter, My main grip is that the present
Meds are not able to measure if they work or not.
I agree with Jodi. I am trying to juggle taking care of my husband with alzheimer’s, working full time and just trying to live without killing myself in the process. Thank God for the Alzheimer’s day care center in this area or I would not survive. Even though I am well passed retirement it is necessary for me to work to support care for my husband. It would be nice if the grant would be used in this country for our direct good not just for infomation about care in another country where life is very different. Clare
I believe the same as you. There are so many right here who could use the help. My husband has had ALZ for nearly 5 yrs. and I am caring for him. He is 85 and I am 79. I know how draining it can be, not only physically but financially. I have been trying to find some financial help as Soc. Sec. just doesn’t do it all and so you go thru all your savings and then there doesn’t seem to be the help you need.