Neighborhood History-Based Social Walking for Caregivers and People Living with Early-Stage Dementia - Abstract Citation igaf122.3321

Sep 28, 2026

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Neighborhood History-Based Social Walking for caregivers and people living with early-stage dementia examined feasibility through the SHARP Caregiver study using seven triads (n=21) in Portland’s historically Black, gentrifying neighborhoods. Triads used the SHARP application to walk 1-mile routes with images to prompt conversational reminiscence three times weekly for 16 weeks. Caregivers and care partners completed pre/post health assessments, showing improved self-rated activity and stable depression/burden outcomes. SHARP-Caregiver provided structure, group accountability, and social connection for mental health and community engagement.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Study design and participants

Intervention and procedures

Outcomes and feasibility findings

984 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.3321 NEIGHBORHOOD HISTORY-BASED SOCIAL WALKING FOR CAREGIVERS AND PEOPLE LIVING WITH EARLY-STAGE DEMENTIA Patrice Fuller1, Charles Fennell2, Nora Mattek1, Michael Crespo1, and Raina Croff1, 1. Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States, 2. Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States The SHARP Caregiver study engaged seven triads (n = 21) consisting of a healthy or mildly cognitively impaired (MCI) caregiver (age >40), their care partner with MCI or early-stage dementia,(age >40), and a healthy or MCI support person (age >18) in Black history-based neighborhood walking. Triads used the SHARP application to walk 1-mile routes with images to prompt conversational reminiscence 3x/week over 16 weeks in Portland, Oregon’s gentrifying historically Black neighborhoods. Mean age overall was 69.8 years. Eight (38%) were cognitively healthy [mean MoCA 26.5 (SD 1.9)] and 13 (4MCI; 9 early-stage dementia) were cognitively impaired [mean MoCA 18.8 (SD 2.8)] . Caregivers and care partners completed pre/post health assessments. Overall, 29% rated themselves very/fairly active at baseline and 57% at end-study; 36% rated themselves in excellent/very good health at baseline and 43% at end-study. Pre/post mean Geriatric Depression Scale scores decreased for caregivers from 1.86 to 1.14 and increased for care partners from 1.40 to 1.80, indicating normal/no depression and consistency over time. Pre/post mean Zarit Burden Interview (short 12-item) scores for caregivers increased from 13.14 to 14.86 indicating mild to moderate burden and consistency over time. Highly motivational program aspects were recording memories for use in community learning sessions about healthy aging and being accountable to their group. Overall, self-rated activity level improved while depression and caregiver burden was maintained at healthy levels. The SHARP-Caregiver study is feasible for caregivers and care partners, providing structure to weekly activity, group accountability and socializing for mental health and community connection.

FAQs

What intervention did the SHARP Caregiver study use?

It used the SHARP application to guide triads in walking 1-mile routes with image prompts to encourage conversational reminiscence three times per week for 16 weeks.

Who participated in the study?

Seven triads (n=21) included a caregiver and a care partner (with MCI or early-stage dementia) plus a healthy or MCI support person, with adults aged over 40 (and support person over 18).

What were the main outcomes reported?

Participants showed improved self-rated activity, while depression and caregiver burden were maintained at healthy levels; pre/post Geriatric Depression Scale and Zarit Burden Interview scores were reported with time-consistent patterns.

Sep 28, 2026

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