Impact of Social Determinants on Informal Caregivers of Alzheimer’s: A Community-Driven App Study
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Background: With more than 80% of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (Pw-ADRD) living in their own homes, informal caregivers serve as mediators for symptoms, sources of information, and emotional support. However, many informal dementia caregivers continue to lack the knowledge and skills to manage behavioral symptoms effectively. Therefore, significant differences persist in the quality and accessibility of Alzheimer's care. These differences are mostly because of the social determinants of health (SDOH) such as income, education, and healthcare access, which have a significant impact on the care patients receive and their health outcomes.
Design: Triangulated Community-Driven Research
Purpose: To evaluate how SDOH affects the burden of informal caregivers of Pw-ADRD.
Methods: This study is part of a larger ongoing triangulated designed study that investigates the impact of determinants of health and the adoption of a developed SmartCare mobile app by informal dementia caregivers living in rural areas. We are recruiting participants through flyers and presentations at community events. Quantitative data is being collected via a survey of 40 participants that includes a socio-demographic questionnaire and the Dementia Caregiving Assessment Scale. Qualitative data is being collected via individual semi-structured interview sessions. We extract relevant quantitative data from the survey and qualitative data from interviews to analyze descriptive statistics and thematic analyses.
Conclusion: The findings from this project can provide invaluable insights into common caregiving challenges, which will be a foundation for the development of the SmartCare mobile app to provide accessible, targeted resources and support to informal dementia caregivers, especially in rural areas.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CCSE - Computer Science
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Xinyue Zhang
Impact of Social Determinants on Informal Caregivers of Alzheimer’s: A Community-Driven App Study
Background: With more than 80% of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (Pw-ADRD) living in their own homes, informal caregivers serve as mediators for symptoms, sources of information, and emotional support. However, many informal dementia caregivers continue to lack the knowledge and skills to manage behavioral symptoms effectively. Therefore, significant differences persist in the quality and accessibility of Alzheimer's care. These differences are mostly because of the social determinants of health (SDOH) such as income, education, and healthcare access, which have a significant impact on the care patients receive and their health outcomes.
Design: Triangulated Community-Driven Research
Purpose: To evaluate how SDOH affects the burden of informal caregivers of Pw-ADRD.
Methods: This study is part of a larger ongoing triangulated designed study that investigates the impact of determinants of health and the adoption of a developed SmartCare mobile app by informal dementia caregivers living in rural areas. We are recruiting participants through flyers and presentations at community events. Quantitative data is being collected via a survey of 40 participants that includes a socio-demographic questionnaire and the Dementia Caregiving Assessment Scale. Qualitative data is being collected via individual semi-structured interview sessions. We extract relevant quantitative data from the survey and qualitative data from interviews to analyze descriptive statistics and thematic analyses.
Conclusion: The findings from this project can provide invaluable insights into common caregiving challenges, which will be a foundation for the development of the SmartCare mobile app to provide accessible, targeted resources and support to informal dementia caregivers, especially in rural areas.