Local residents are being invited to participate in a national research study on Alzheimer’s disease, conducted by Kiama-based company Evrima.

Evrima, an organisation working to bridge the gap between clinical trials, patients and general practitioners, is calling on people living with early-stage Alzheimer’s - and their carers - to share their experiences and perspectives on current treatment options.

“The aim is not only to understand their daily challenges, but also to explore what they value in potential treatments, including the benefits and drawbacks of various medication options,” said Evrima CEO and founder Charlotte Bradshaw.

“This kind of research gives people a chance to have a say in future treatment options, and ideally, the findings will help shape future policy and clinical guidelines.”

People aged 18 and over who have been diagnosed with mild or early-stage Alzheimer’s - or who are caring for someone with the condition - are eligible to take part. The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.

“The type of study being conducted is known as patient preference research - a mix of market research and clinical research that looks at what patients want and need in their healthcare,” said Bradshaw.

While patient preference studies do take place in Australia and internationally, Bradshaw said it’s uncommon for them to be offered in regional or rural communities.

“In fact, I haven’t seen many opportunities like this reach communities such as Kiama in my career, and I hope this is the beginning of more to come.”

Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of death for women in Australia, and the second leading cause for men, behind heart disease. 

In 2024, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimated there were 425,000 Australians living with dementia - equivalent to 16 people per 1000.

Bradshaw believes studies like this should become more common in regional areas, where people may face very different experiences with the healthcare system.

“Having this research available in Kiama and the wider Illawarra is significant. It ensures that voices from non-metro areas are heard, which is vital because access to healthcare can vary greatly outside major cities,” she said.

“People in regional areas might face different challenges - especially with conditions like Alzheimer’s - and their experiences deserve to be represented in national and global research.”

Evrima has also ensured flexible participation options are available, recognising many potential participants may not have time to spare.

“We know that asking people - especially carers - to commit 20 to 25 minutes of their time can be a challenge, particularly when juggling work, family, and other responsibilities,” Bradshaw said.

“That’s why, for this study (conducted in partnership with Capri), we’ve made it flexible. 

“Participants can either complete the survey online in their own time or schedule a phone call with a researcher, who will guide them through it. We want to make it as accessible as possible.”

The study has been running for the past few months and will finish at the end of October. 

Evrima is looking for a few more participants from the Kiama area to complete the final phase. To participate or learn more, visit: https://www.evrima.com/active-trials