To Whom it May Concern,

My name is Heidi Franz-Hoyt and I am a student at Marist College.  I am pursuing my Masters degree in Communications.  I have completed all of my coursework and I am now focusing on my thesis titled:  The Use of Social Support by Spouses of Alzheimer's Patients to Improve Communication.  For my research, I would like to conduct one-on-one interviews, focus group interviews, and surveys with spouses of Alzheimer's patients.  My hypothesis is that using social support can help the spouses deal with the stresses that come with caring for an Alzheimer's patient and that using some form of social support can also facilitate and enhance the communication between the spouse and the Alzheimer's patient. 

This research is very near and dear to my heart since my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in late 2003.  He had to be placed in an Alzheimer's facility July of 2007.  I have witnessed how this disease has not only affected my father but also my mother and our family.  I believe that using some type of social support system enables the spouse to better understand the disease and be able to communicate with the Alzheimer's patient without getting frustrated. 

I am writing to see if you know of any spouses of Alzheimer's patients that might be willing to participate in my study.  I would need spouses to answer a survey and some interview questions for my research.  This can easily be done through e-mail. 

If there is anyone willing to participate, please let me know.

Heidi Franz-Hoyt
heidifranzhoyt@aol.com