Koehly, Laura M.

Objectives Caregiving to individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) is a family-systems process where tasks are distributed between multiple caregivers in a network. We evaluate the extent to which multiple network members nominate one another as filling primary caregiver (PCG) roles and factors associated with nomination. Method Data come from the Caregiving Roles and Expectations Networks project, which aimed to characterize the caregiving networks of families affected by ADRD.

My research program considers family relationships across the life course: in early life, with a focus on disease prevention -- leveraging genetic risk information and relationships to motivate health-promoting behaviors -- and in later life, with a focus on informal caregiving -- identifying characteristics of those most vulnerable to, or resilient from, caregiver stress. It is fortuitous, if not tragic, then, that my research and personal worlds collided during my mother's final 8 months of life.