I-CARE Rural Pilot: Remote Digital Intervention for Rural-Dwelling Dementia Caregivers

Launched by RICHARD HOLDEN · Jun 27, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new smartphone app called "Brain CareNotes," designed to help people who care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, especially those living in rural areas. The app aims to make caregiving easier by providing support and tools to manage the challenges that come with caring for someone with memory loss and related behavioral changes. The study wants to see if using this app is practical and helpful compared to a simpler education-only app.

If you are an unpaid primary caregiver for someone with dementia who lives at home in a rural area, are 18 years or older, and can read English, you might be eligible to join. Caregivers whose loved ones live in nursing homes or who cannot use a smartphone or tablet won’t be able to participate. Those who join will be randomly assigned to use either the Brain CareNotes app or the education app for six months, with reminders to help them use it regularly. This study is currently recruiting participants and welcomes caregivers of all genders between the ages of 65 and 74.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• * Self-identified primary unpaid rural (RUCA Code of 4-10) caregiver of a person diagnosed with ADRD (at any stage) who are:
• • Receiving primary care and
• • Community-dwelling;
• • English literate;
• • Age ≥ 18 years
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Care recipient is a permanent resident of an extended care facility (nursing home);
• • Involvement in another clinical trial that would prevent or interfere with study objectives;
• • Sensory or other impairment prohibiting the use of a mobile touchscreen device or other study activity (after correction)