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Caregiver +
Network Canvas.

Caregiver +
Network Canvas.

Caregiver Networks project seeks to improve how we measure the relationships and complex networks of persons living with memory loss (PWML) and the various people who provide them support. This research will help us determine whether Network Canvas is a viable tool to capture social network data around persons with memory loss and their caregivers.


Our findings will help us better understand how to measure these networks more accurately by understanding how interpersonal interactions within these networks (e.g., conflict, closeness) impact the psychological and physical well-being of those involved.

Why is this work needed?

Most research concerning people living with memory loss and their caregivers concentrates on a sole dyadic relationship with a primary caregiver. In most real-world instances, however, care networks are far more complicated and include multiple family members and non-related friends all of whom may provide varying levels of support and care to an individual with memory loss.


Caregiver networks are understudied, in part, because they are difficult to measure, yet the interpersonal relationships within these systems may hold vital information necessary to improving the well-being of both caregivers and individuals with memory loss.

Addressing the Research Gap

To address this research gap, our team will conduct interviews nationally with people living with memory loss and their caregivers. Interviews will utilize a visual, user-friendly social network methodology software - Network Canvas - to ‘build’ the caregiver networks surrounding each individual with memory loss in the study. We will collect information about members of the care network who are traditionally not included in caregiver network research, and capture data such as self-reported and perceived contributions of others related to the care of the person with memory loss and interpersonal relationships within the network.

Leveraging our Software

Our team produced a free and open-source software called Network Canvas to simplify network data collection for researchers. Within this project, Network Canvas is being utilized as a survey tool to measure the networks of caregivers of people living with memory loss.

Our team produced a free and open-source software called Network Canvas to simply network data collection for researchers. Within this project, Network Canvas is being utilized as a survey tool to measure the networks of caregivers of people living with memory loss or Alzheimer’s disease across three locations (Illinois, Indiana, Hawaii).

Our Aims

Unveiling Caregiver Network Dynamics for People with Memory Loss

We will utilize Network Canvas to measure and map the social networks of caregivers for people with memory loss. Utilizing this measurement approach, we aim to elucidate the diverse ways individuals define "family" caregivers, challenging the conventional caregiver-PWML duo and advocating for caregiver networks as a more authentic research approach.

Deciphering Well-being Predictors in Caregiver-PWML Networks

We aim to identify network predictors impacting the well-being of caregiver-PWML dyads. Examining diverse caregiver contributions, we'll assess inter-network influences on burden, anxiety, stress, and overall well-being, among others.

Project Details

This research project (R01AG083034) is funded by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health and is led by an interdisciplinary team spanning the fields of geriatrics, health disparities, psychology, social network analysis, and human-centered data collection methodology.

Collaborate with Us

Want to be involved in future geriatrics studies? We’d love to have you. Contact [email protected]

Collaborate with Us

Want to be involved in future geriatrics studies? We’d love to have you. Contact [email protected]

Questions or concerns?

Please contact our team with any questions related to Network Canvas tools used in this study by emailing [email protected].

Questions or concerns?

Please contact our team with any questions related to Network Canvas tools used in this study by emailing [email protected].

Questions or concerns?

Please contact our team with any questions related to Network Canvas tools used in this study by emailing [email protected].

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