# Daily Experiences among Black and White Dementia Caregivers: Implications for Well-being and Cardiovascular Health

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2020 · $764,935

## Abstract

African Americans (AAs) are 2 to 3 more times more likely have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia
(ADRD) compared to European Americans (EAs), placing high burden on AA families. AA ADRD caregivers
tend to report better mental health but worse physical health than EA ADRD caregivers. Caregiving predicts
increased risk of hypertension and coronary heart disease (CHD), which are more common among AAs than
EAs. Studies of daily experiences provide crucial information regarding the mechanisms by which caregiving
experience is linked with health, yet little is known about race differences in daily positive and negative
experiences among ADRD caregivers or their links with daily well-being and cardiovascular health. In response
to PAR-18- 027 Research on Informal and Formal Caregiving for Alzheimer's Disease, the present study seeks
to understand the dynamic associations between daily experiences, well-being, and cardiovascular health
among AA and EA ADRD caregivers. We will collect detailed self-report and cardiovascular data with two
components: 1) a baseline interview, and 2) a daily study which incorporates a 5-day, 6-times a day, ecological
momentary assessments (EMAs) of self-reported exposure and reactivity (psychological and behavioral) to
negative and positive events, as well two ambulatory monitoring devices to assess cardiovascular reactivity
(heart rate, heart rate variability, and blood pressure). The persons living with dementia (PLWDs) will also wear
a monitor to assess heart rate, and heart rate variability. The sample will include 150 EA and 150 AA
caregivers (70% women; 30% men) in the Detroit metropolitan area (recruited via area agencies and
community organizations) who co-reside with and provide unpaid caregiving for a PLWD. The study
addresses three aims: 1) Compare daily positive and negative care-related and noncare experiences
among AA and EA caregivers, 2) Examine links among daily experiences (positive and negative care-
related and noncare experiences), daily self-reported well-being, and daily cardiovascular health
among AA and EA caregivers and the PLWD, and 3) Identify AA and AE caregivers who are more or
less resilient to daily care-related and non-care stress. Identifying racial disparities in daily experiences
that shape mental and physical health will inform targeted interventions to maintain caregivers’ well-being and
enhance their ability to provide quality care.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9956977
- **Project number:** 5R01AG063200-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** KIRA S BIRDITT
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $764,935
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9956977

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9956977, Daily Experiences among Black and White Dementia Caregivers: Implications for Well-being and Cardiovascular Health (5R01AG063200-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9956977. Licensed CC0.

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