Identifying Caregiver Personas to Improve Dementia Medication Management

Recent research highlights the importance of understanding caregiver strategies and unmet needs in managing medications for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Conducted by researchers including Regenstrief Institute's Noll Campbell, PharmD, M.S., and Malaz Boustani, M.D., MPH, the study employs a user-centered design approach and virtual contextual inquiry to classify caregivers into three distinct personas: "Checklist Cheryl," "Social Sam," and "Responsive Rhonda." Each persona reflects different approaches—ranging from highly organized with digital tools to more social and responsive methods—highlighting the diversity in caregiving styles.

The study finds that caregivers utilize a mix of technological and physical strategies for medication management, such as symptom tracking, communication with care networks, and support for self-care. However, current interventions do not fully address their specific needs, such as clearer guidelines for symptom communication and enhanced tools for medication adherence.

An essential contribution of this research is the development of detailed caregiver personas, each describing unique behaviors related to medication organization, symptom monitoring, and communication preferences. These personas serve as a valuable framework for designing tailored digital health interventions, including customizable reminder apps, symptom trackers, and social support platforms.

The virtual methodology used in this study offers a practical model for future caregiver research, aiming to create more effective and personalized support tools. The findings support the development of targeted policies and interventions that can better encompass caregiver variability, ultimately improving medication adherence and health outcomes for people with dementia.

Published in JMIR Aging, this research provides insights valuable to health system designers, caregiver organizations, policymakers, and researchers. By addressing the specific needs of diverse caregiver types, interventions can be more effective, leading to improved patient care, increased caregiver support, and a robust foundation for future studies.

For more information, see the full study: Anna Jolliff et al, "Creating User Personas to Represent the Needs of Dementia Caregivers Who Support Medication Management at Home: Persona Development and Qualitative Study," JMIR Aging (2025).