Research Spotlight: The Impact of the Type of Relationship of HABIT Care Partners

Thank you for our collaborator, Dr. Zhigang "Shay" Xie, at the University of Florida for leading this recent publication our HABIT Team.  He's provided a summary of the study below, and you can read the full manuscript here if you want more detail!

*

Living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can bring uncertainty, questions, and emotional challenges—for both individuals and the people who support them. The HABIT Healthy Action to Benefit Independence & Thinking® Program was created to walk alongside participants and their care partners through this journey, offering practical tools, education, and community. In this study, researchers explored an important question: does the type of care partner—such as a spouse, adult child, or friend—shape how people experience and benefit from the program?

In this study, researchers followed 875 pairs of participants with MCI and their care partners for up to one year after participating in the HABIT Program. They found that most participants, regardless of who came with them, felt better emotionally and gained confidence in managing everyday memory challenges after the program. Many also used their memory tools more consistently. These early improvements highlight how learning new strategies—together—can bring reassurance and a sense of control.

Over time, some differences emerged between pairs who attended with a spouse and those who came with a non-spouse partner, such as an adult child or friend. People who attended with a spouse tended to keep using their memory support tools longer and showed more lasting reductions in anxiety. At the same time, spouses themselves sometimes felt more tired or burdened as the months went on—likely reflecting how deeply involved they are in day-to-day support. For non-spouse partners, the program experience was often helpful in the short term, but ongoing engagement and benefits were harder to sustain. These patterns remind us that every caregiving relationship is unique, and both participants and partners deserve care and encouragement along the way.

What does this mean for you or someone you care about? This study reinforces a hopeful message: participating in the HABIT Program can provide meaningful emotional support, practical skills, and a sense of connection—no matter who your care partner is. It also highlights the importance of caring for the caregiver, too. Whether you come with a spouse, family member, or friend, you are not alone. The HABIT community is here to support both of you as you navigate MCI with compassion, resilience, and shared strength.