Plans4Care Research Study
Are you a family caregiver of a person living with dementia? Would you like strategies for managing daily care challenges?Are you seeking trustworthy information about dementia?
Feeling overwhelmed and having difficulty taking care of a loved one with dementia?Join the Plans4Care Research study to gain access to science backed tools, plans, and more for dementia caregivers.
Developed by over 20 years of research from
About the Plans4Care Study
Plans4Care is a research study funded by the National Institute on Aging (Grant# R44AG084365). The study's goal is to evaluate whether using the Plans4Care app will enhance a caregiver’s wellbeing.
About the Plans4Care App
Plans4Care has built a ecosystem of science backed tools and resources for dementia caregivers. Using the Plans4Care app, caregivers can receive “Action Plans” that contain easy-to-use non-drug strategies to address common dementia-related care challenges, trainings, and staff support.
Everyday Function Scale
Quick assessment that rates a person’s ability to perform everyday activities
90+ Care Challenges
Personalized modules tailored to each patient addressing behavior, safety, and daily routines to improve day-to-day outcomes.
Science based Training
Built on 30+ years of NIH-funded studies, translating validated dementia care methods into practical, evidence-based tools.
Staff Network
Speak to a trained care advisor who can assist with implementing recommended strategies or discuss other matters related to dementia care.
Why Participate?
Caring for individuals with dementia can be incredibly challenging. Did you know that more than 70% of care is provided by family members or community caregivers who often lack formal training? That's why we are dedicated to creating the most comprehensive database of scientifically-backed training tools and support resources to empower caregivers.
Caring for someone with dementia?
Join the Plans4Care research study to gain access to tools, resources, and support while supporting clinical research
How the study works
Intro Call
In a brief telephone call, Drexel University research staff will explain the study in more detail and see if this study is right for you.
Interview
If this study is right for you and you would like to participate, a one-hour telephone interview will be scheduled that will ask about your health and wellbeing.
App Access
After the interview, you will be assigned by chance to either receive the Plans4Care web-app immediately or 6 months later.
Ongoing Support
The Plans4Care team will support and monitor your caregiving experience along the way.
Why Participate?
Frequently asked questions about how the study works, who its for, and why you should participate in research studies
Research is a way of answering important questions concerning the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Research is conducted by scientists alone or in partnership with communities and individuals. Research is funded by government agencies, private foundations or health care organizations. There are many different types of research involving individuals including surveys, clinical trials, or in-depth interviewing. Research can also occur over the telephone, through the internet or use of other technologies, in person, in the home, or health care settings.
People participate in research for different reasons. Here are some of the most common reasons people offer as to why they participate in a study:
- To play an active role in one’s own health and well-being
- To participate in new services before they become available
- To receive potentially beneficial information
- To share personal experiences so that others may benefit
- To receive potentially beneficial information
- To have a sense of giving back, of helping others or contributin
- All caregivers enrolled in this study will have access to the web-app and an opportunity to try it out.
- Caregivers will receive dementia-related education that may be helpful.
- With your help, we will evaluate whether the Plans4Care web-app is beneficial for caregivers and support their efforts.
- All caregivers enrolled in the study will receive a small honorarium for their time in providing feedback in interviews.
Before you agree to participate in a study, you have the right to know the answer to these questions:
- What is the purpose of this study?
- What do I have to do in this study?
- How long will I be in this study?
- Can I still receive medical or other services while in this study?
- Do I have access to the information I provide?
- Will I be informed of any test results?
- What are the potential risks (if any)?
- What are the potential benefits of participating?
- How is the information I provide protected?
- Who do I contact about the study for more information?
- Who is funding or sponsoring the study?
- What do the researchers hope to learn from the study?
- Informed consent is a process by which you are informed verbally and/or in writing by the research team about the purpose, procedures, risk and benefits of the study. You will be asked to review the informed consent and provide verbal or written consent.
- Remember, that giving your informed consent is not a contract and your participation in a study is completely voluntary. You can decide to leave a study at any time. You can also decide not to answer a question that is asked of you in a study. Also, participating in a study does not prevent you from receiving services or participating in other activities.
- The information you provide in a study is totally confidential and will not be shared with anyone who is not listed in the informed consent. Your identity is protected through the use of identification numbers, password protected data files, and locked storage cabinets and offices.
Studies vary in their level of personal risk from having no to minimal risk to having high risk. Before agreeing to participate in a study, the procedures, benefits and risks must be fully explained to you. If the study is right for you and you are willing to participate, you will be asked to read and sign an “Informed Consent” form that states the level of risk, types of risks, and how risks will be mitigated. For the Plans4Care study, there is no to minimal risk. The Plans4Care study is considered low risk.
All research studies must be approved and monitored by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), a legal entity of the institution conducting the study. The IRB ensures that you are protected from risks that may be too great, that your privacy is protected and that you are fully informed about the study and have chosen freely to participate. For more information about informed consent and your protection go to: http://clinicaltrials.gov or contact the Drexel University IRB at 267-359-2471 or HRPP@drexel.edu
Studies vary in their level of personal risk from having no to minimal risk to having high risk. Before agreeing to participate in a study, the procedures, benefits and risks must be fully explained to you. If the study is right for you and you are willing to participate, you will be asked to read and sign an “Informed Consent” form that states the level of risk, types of risks, and how risks will be mitigated. For the Plans4Care study, there is no to minimal risk. The Plans4Care study is considered low risk.
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Caring for someone with dementia?
Join the Plans4Care research study to gain access to tools, resources, and support while supporting clinical research
FAQs + More on How it Works
Frequently asked questions about how the study works, who its for, and why you should participate in research studies
No, you do not need a smartphone to participate. Plans4Care can be used on any internet-capable device, including computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
If you can check your email, surf the web, or use mobile apps like Facebook, you can participate in this study.
At this time, the Plans4Care web-app is only available in English and participants must be fluent in English to participate. However, in the future, we hope to offer the web-app in other languages.
Yes, the study team understands how time-intensive caregiving can be, and all interviews are scheduled for when it is convenient for you. The interviews are scheduled based on your availability and can be completed in different calls, if needed. There is no time requirement for using Plans4Care. You can use it as little or as often as you would like, at any time. It is up to you.
The web-app is easy to navigate. We will walk you through it at the time you gain access to it. Also, there are helpful instructions throughout the web-app.
If you have any difficulties or questions about using the web-app during the study, the study team will be able to assist you.
There is no time requirement for using the Plans4Care web-app. You can use it as little or as often as you would like, and at any time.
Unfortunately, we cannot share any information about the results of the study while you’re in the study. However, we plan to share our findings with all participants after the study is completed and the interviews are analyzed.
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