Moving Together: An Online Group Movement Program for People Living With Memory Loss and Caregivers

Extending Independence and Quality of Life for People With Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia Through Telehealth Program Delivery

To determine whether Moving Together improves quality of life in people with memory loss (PWML) and caregivers (CG) by performing a randomized, controlled trial (RCT) with a waitlist control group in 224 dyads.

The investigators will perform an RCT with a 12-week delayed start control group in 224 dyads of PWMLs and CGs. The primary outcome in PWML will be self-rated quality of life (Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease, QOL-AD). Secondary outcomes will include: a) self-reported emotional well-being; b) self-reported social isolation; c) self-reported mobility; and d) directly assess cognitive performance. In CGs, the primary outcome will be self-rated quality of life (SF-12). Secondary outcomes in CGs will include: a) healthy days; b) self-efficacy; c) burden; d) social isolation; e) ability to self-regulate; f) positive affect; and g) sleep quality. In addition, the investigators will ask CGs to report sleep quality, mobility, and cognitive function for PWML. Additional exploratory outcomes will include health services utilization (hospitalizations, emergency department visits) and falls.

In addition to the RCT, the investigators propose to compare health utilization outcomes in study participants to a matched 'no contact' comparison sample of patients with dementia diagnoses who receive care in the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Health system.

Inclusion Criteria:

• People with memory loss (PWML):

  • U.S. resident;
  • English language fluency;
  • diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or other dementia; mild severity, assessed using the Quick Dementia Rating System.

• Caregivers (CG):

  • U.S. resident;
  • English language fluency;
  • Primary caregiver for PWML;
  • own one or more devices that can be used to participate in two-way livestreaming video classes (e.g., smart phone/tablet + TV, laptop or desktop with webcam, smart TV);
  • willing and able to participate in two-way livestreaming group movement classes with person with PWML.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age < 18 years;
• primarily use wheelchair inside home;
• limited life expectancy (e.g., enrolled in hospice, meta-static cancer);
• physical limitations that could affect ability to participate (e.g., difficulty sitting for 1 hour, chronic pain, vertigo);
• severe visual impairment (e.g., unable to observe instructor's movements on screen);
• severe hearing impairment (e.g., unable to hear instructor's requests);
• behavioral or psychiatric issues that could be disruptive in group setting (e.g., history of physical or verbal abuse, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance abuse);
• unable to provide consent/assent;
• planning to travel for >1 week during initial 12-week study period.