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Nearly 12 million people in the U.S. provide unpaid care to a relative or friend with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Compared with caregivers of people without dementia, ADRD caregivers face greater demands that may contribute to higher rates of depression, anxiety, sleep problems, reduced physical activity and chronic illness.

When caregivers experience poor physical or emotional health, the health and well-being of those receiving care may also suffer.

Research suggests that engaging in positive activities can improve caregivers' mood and support their physical and emotional well-being. Yet, existing caregiver interventions are often burdensome and may not prioritize positive activities.

To address these gaps, Sung Won Choi, M.D., M.S., an Edith S. Briskin and Shirley K. Schlafer Foundation research professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan Medical School, developed Roadmap, a mobile health (mHealth) app featuring eight positive activity modules for caregivers. The research is published in the journal Frontiers in Dementia.

Previous studies across multiple caregiver populations demonstrated the app's feasibility, acceptability and efficacy, but it had not been tested specifically among ADRD caregivers.

Choi collaborated with colleagues including Noelle Carlozzi, Ph.D., director of U-M's Center for Clinical Outcomes Development & Application, and Kira Birditt, Ph.D., research professor at the Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research at U-M, to assess Roadmap's feasibility and acceptability.

In a pilot study involving 20 dementia caregivers, participants engaged in positive activities on 87% of study days and completed 95% of nightly surveys, demonstrating high feasibility.

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