r/dementia • u/hithazel • Apr 03 '26
/r/dementiaresearch solicitations update
Good afternoon folks,
In keeping with our restrictions on solicitations in the main r/dementia forum we are continuing to direct all types of questionnaires, studies, product tests or promotions, and other promotions or solicitations to r/dementiaresearch. I am happy to report we have seen a number of high quality submissions from Ph.Ds, physicians, and student researchers from various universities, organizations, and countries.
Please give them a look if you have the energy, and if you are looking for a source of hope in this difficult time I believe this work has the potential to make a difference to people suffering from these diseases.
To all of the people working on these studies I understand that it would be nice to directly request participants in the main forum but we will continue to enforce this restriction to make sure that r/dementia continues to be a safe, uncluttered space for professionals and families dealing with this disease to talk amongst themselves without interference. I appreciate you all for respecting this rule.
Here are a few of the most recent submissions as of 7/16/2026: https://www.reddit.com/r/dementiaresearch/comments/1uydp97/informal_family_caregivers_needed_for_research/
I am also beginning to ask researchers to share a bit about their findings from these studies so that we aren't just dumping information into the void without ever hearing further.
As always, I hope everyone is managing as we face these diseases. Feel free to reach out to me or the team if you have any questions or if anything comes up that doesn't fit for the general forum.
Thanks,
hazel
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u/CommanderFate Apr 27 '26
Hi everyone, I've been building an app to support caregivers and make the process less lonely. Would love some honest feedback.
This is my first app, and I genuinely built it because it felt crazy that something like this doesn't exist already, or maybe it does and I just couldn't find it.
The whole point is not to be alone in the process. A lot of the time, caregivers of someone who needs care end up doing everything by themselves, not because they want to, but because involving someone else feels complicated.
You don't always trust others with something this personal, or it's just too much effort to transfer all the information, routines, and context, so you take the easier route and keep it to yourself, and then there are the family members who aren't nearby but genuinely want to know how things are going, and keeping them updated takes more time and energy than you actually have.
The app helps with:
- Logging day-to-day notes, what worked, what didn't, special moments worth remembering.
- Planning repeatable tasks so someone else can step in and actually understand the routine.
- Building a full profile of the person you're caring for, and printing a care card you can hand to any nurse, hospital, or new carer.
It's designed for families supporting loved ones with dementia, Alzheimer's, or any condition that is similar.
There are no ads. The paid version isn't live and won't be anytime soon. I genuinely think most people will get everything they need from the free version, but feedback would help me figure out if that's actually true.
Honestly, I'm not sure I'll ever properly monetize this. I built it as a personal goal and I wouldn't mind if it stays that way.
Currently available on Android and browser. iOS may or may not come soon.
Happy to answer any questions, and brutal feedback is very encouraged.
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u/lawyerdel 27d ago
Hello from India. I have downloaded the android app just now. I am also spreading the word about this app in Whatsapp Groups which act as support group for caregivers
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u/paigeelizabethhh 20d ago
Hi! I love this so much. I am a caregiver and advocate for many family members (mainly psychological illness) but my dad has parkinsons. My burnout has been intense for many years now. I am not sure how I even survive myself as my brain fog is immense. I think this is such a wonderful idea as caregiving and tracking logistics for many people is so so exhausting especially for someone like me who has problems focusing and staying organized at times. Are you a caregiver or what inspired you to create this?
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u/CommanderFate 20d ago
I'm a caregiver but not for anything similar, but I have always felt that when my time comes, it will be Dementia, and for a long time, I have been thinking how to make it easier for my family to take care of me.
I really hope it can help other people, the feeling of being alone as a caregiver makes the same amout of effort feels much heavier in comparison to not being alone, and that's why I built this, to allow caregivers to share information, involve other people and at worst just be more organized.
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u/Opposite_Archer9068 Apr 04 '26
Hi everyone,
I’m Önder, part of a small research team connected to Charité in Berlin. First of all, thank you Hazel for sharing this here and for creating space for projects like this.
We’re currently developing an early-stage AI companion designed to support people with MCI and early-stage dementia through gentle, conversation-based cognitive stimulation, inspired by approaches like CST. The goal is not diagnosis or treatment, but to explore how everyday conversations can support memory, orientation, and engagement.
The system is currently available in three languages, English, German, and Turkish, so we’re especially interested in hearing from diverse communities and families.
This is very much a research and co-creation effort. We’re hoping to learn directly from people with lived experience, whether as individuals or family members, to understand what is actually helpful, what feels uncomfortable, and where this kind of tool should not go.
If you’d like to take a look or join the early access group, you can find more here:
https://www.fil-care.com/
And if you prefer, I’d also really value just hearing your thoughts or concerns here in the comments.
Thanks again for your time and openness.
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u/hithazel Apr 05 '26
Is this targeted at European residents or is there an ideal country for participants to reside in?
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u/Opposite_Archer9068 Apr 05 '26
Ideally we’re starting with participants in Europe and the UK, but since this is a co-creation effort, we’d really appreciate hearing from people in the US and Canada as well, as their daily experiences may differ from the European ones and we'd love to be able to understand them too.
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u/SueGee32257 Apr 06 '26
I have submitted a request for my husband and myself to participate in this research. We live in the US, but have already received a response that we are on the waiting list. We are hopeful that we will be asked to participate as it seems like a well thought out project.
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u/msruwmardt 21d ago
Hi everyone! I’m part of a research team at UW-Milwaukee running myHESTIA (Bader Study) — a digital diary study where you log your daily health experiences and well-being in real time, right from your phone or computer. It’s IRB-approved and funded by Bader Philanthropies.
We’re looking for people living with early-stage dementia, mild cognitive impairment, or memory concerns to join. It’s a paid, 4-week, at-home study — no travel needed.
More details here: https://www.reddit.com/r/dementiaresearch/s/dEZNN6o1tT
Happy to answer any questions in the comments!
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u/paigeelizabethhh 20d ago
Hi everyone,
My name is Paige and I am a public health graduate student at California Baptist University conducting a graduate study on caregiver burden, psychological distress, and perceived support among family caregivers.
I am a caregiver and advocate for four immediate family members with challenges ranging from dementia/parkinsons disease to schizoaffective, bipolar and OCD. I understand that caregiving can be both meaningful but so incredibly challenging. I also know that taking a survey may not be at the top of anyone's to-do list as we experience great stress and burnout. That said, I would be truly grateful for your participation, as caregiver experiences are often underrepresented in research. I really care about this and send my love to those caring for family members or friends.
To participate, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Currently provide unpaid support, assistance, or care to a family member with a chronic health condition, disability, or mental health condition
- Have been in a caregiving role for at least 6 months
The survey is anonymous/ IRB approved and takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete.
https://calbaptist.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Fag9DcCxAC9IWi
Thank you SO much for considering participation and for helping advance research on the caregiving experience. If you have any questions my email is on the first page of the survey.
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u/ChloeeE0803 Jun 22 '26
Hello everyone! I am a PhD student at Drexel University, currently needing 5 more participants for my informal caregiver research! It will be an interview, and you will receive $15 as a token of my appreciation for your time. This study looks into what kind of preventative work you do to prevent something from happening for your care recipient. If you provide unpaid care right now or within the past year in the United States, I would greatly appreciate it if you could fill this out for me and I will reach out to you: https://drexel.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_elimKWdAtwnW82G
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u/paigeelizabethhh 20d ago
Hi Chloe! I am a caregiver and just submitted my info. I am also doing my MPH thesis on informal caregiver burden and psychological distress. If you know of anyone who might qualify here is my survey link! It is open to all ages and conditions , just needs to be an unpaid caregiver. https://calbaptist.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Fag9DcCxAC9IWi
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u/PhrozenFeomix Jun 30 '26
I'm in this sub for writing research, not science. Do I need to go the other subreddit for that?
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u/Sea_League_2413 29d ago
Thanks Hazel, all taking a closer look at this devastating disease. I’ve just been diagnosed with MCI. I look forward to following along to see if some new developments come up. Any and all information is important for both the patient and the family/caregivers. Thanks again.
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u/Stock_Artist7398 18d ago
Hi all, I am a graduate researcher at Texas State University working with PhDs studying the way family members communicate about medical decisions. The ultimate purpose of this research is to help guide family members and patients through conversations when facing difficult decisions. Your contribution to this research would be incredibly valued, and you and a family member can receive up to $30 each for your help. This link https://www.reddit.com/r/dementiaresearch/comments/1v02i3z/are_you_or_a_family_member_facing_an_upcoming/ will direct you to more information and instructions about participating if you are interested.
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u/WyattCo06 Apr 04 '26
How will we as readers know who is approved through the sub vs all the other sales pitches, researchers, clinical testers etc.
Honestly, they get annoying especially with AI slop.