Connecting Caregivers With Community Services: The Care Buddy Platform

Launched by DUKE-NUS GRADUATE MEDICAL SCHOOL · Feb 5, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The clinical trial titled "Connecting Caregivers with Community Services: the Care Buddy Platform" is focused on developing a mobile app designed to support caregivers of people with dementia. This app, called Care Buddy, will serve as a helpful resource, connecting caregivers to important information and services within the community, such as healthcare professionals and peer support groups. The goal is to create a stronger partnership between caregivers and the services available to them, ultimately improving the well-being of both the caregivers and the individuals they care for.

To participate in this study, caregivers must be Singaporean or permanent residents aged 21 or older, and they should have been actively caring for someone with dementia for at least six months. Participants will need to be family members of the person with dementia and comfortable using technology, like computers or tablets. They should also be able to read and write in English. If chosen for the trial, participants can expect to engage with the app and provide feedback on how it helps them in their caregiving journey. This trial is not yet recruiting, so interested individuals will need to wait for further announcements.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • The inclusion criteria for patients are
• • 1. Singaporean/Permanent residents
• • 2. Age 21 years of age or older
• • 3. Main person or one of the main persons involved in making decisions regarding treatment patient receives or responsible for ensuring the well-being of the patient
• • 4. An active primary caregiver for at least 6 months, and planning to remain the primary caregiver for the next 2 years
• • 5. Is a family member of the patient with dementia
• • 6. Can read and write in English
• • 7. Accessible by telephone to schedule interviews
• • 8. Has familiarity with use of technology (e.g., computers, tablets, or internet) and is able to complete surveys, forms using digital technology
• • 9. Intact cognition determined through the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) for those who are ≥ 65 years old.
• • 10. Caregivers who score \>=9 on the 6-item Zarit Burden scale
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Caregivers of patients staying in nursing home or other long-term care facility with no intention of being discharged will not be eligible however, if the patient is admitted to respite care for short/long term duration after being recruited, caregivers can continue to participate.