Your remote study visit happens over a video call using a free program called Zoom. You don't need to create an account, and you don't need to pay for anything. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, step by step. Take your time — there's no rush.
Tip: Try joining 5–10 minutes early. That gives you a little time to get set up before your visit begins, and someone from our team will be there to help if you need it.
We're here to help. If anything feels confusing or you get stuck — before or during your visit — please reach out. We're happy to walk you through it. Reach out to us at help@picnicresearch.com or (415) 680-3085.
A few days before your visit, we'll send you a link to join the call. You can find it in three places, so use whichever is easiest for you:
The link is a long line of text that starts with "https://" and includes the word "zoom." Clicking it is all you need to do to join — you don't have to type anything in.
You can join from a smartphone, a tablet, or a computer. Pick whichever has a working camera, a microphone, and a steady internet connection. If you have a choice, a device that's easy to prop up hands-free works best, since the nurse may ask to see condition-relevant movements or parts of your body.
Choose a quiet, well-lit room where you won't be interrupted. Sit facing a window or a lamp so your face is easy to see.
The first time you use Zoom on a phone or tablet, you'll need the free Zoom app. It only takes a minute to set up.
Open the email or text message and tap the link. If you have the app, your phone will offer to open the Zoom app — tap Open or Launch Meeting.
A message will pop up asking for permission. Tap Allow or OK each time. This is what lets the nurse see and hear you. (Nothing is shared beyond your visit.)
You may see a button that says "Wi-Fi or Cellular Data" or "Call using Internet Audio." Tap it so you can be heard.
If your camera isn't already on, tap the screen once and look for a camera icon at the bottom. If it has a line through it, tap it once to turn your video on.
You may see a message like "Please wait, the host will let you in soon." That's normal — just stay on the screen and the nurse will join you shortly.
You can join on a computer using just your web browser — no download required.
Open the confirmation email and click the link. A new browser window will open.
Your browser will ask for permission to use them. Click Allow. This lets the nurse see and hear you.
If you see a button that says "Join with Computer Audio," click it.
At the bottom of the screen, find the camera icon. If it has a line through it, click it once to turn your video on.
If you see "Please wait, the host will let you in soon," that's normal. Stay on the page and the nurse will join you shortly.
Once you're connected, a research staff member will greet you and guide you through everything. The visit usually takes about 30 minutes. They'll ask study-specific questions.
You can tell them at any time if you're not comfortable with something, and you can ask questions whenever you like.
Check your email's spam or junk folder, and look for a text message. You can also log in to your dashboard at app.picnichealth.com/research to find it.
Close Zoom and tap or click your link again to rejoin. If your video or sound isn't working, leaving and rejoining fixes most problems.
Make sure you tapped "Join with Computer Audio" or "Call using Internet Audio." Also check that the microphone icon at the bottom doesn't have a line through it — if it does, tap it once to unmute.
Find the camera icon at the bottom of the screen. If it has a line through it, tap it once to turn your video on.
No problem. You can reschedule anytime through your PicnicHealth account, or by contacting us using the phone number or email below.
Join our early breast cancer registry to be counted and share your story with research.
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List the names of all the doctors, hospitals, and other facilities your loved one visits regularly, along with those they have visited in the past. Try to go back as far as you can, striving for at least the last 5-10 years, but do your best. Even if you can’t remember them all, having a strong baseline can help you quickly identify gaps in records.
It is important to make sure that you are fully empowered to make decisions on behalf of your loved one with Alzheimer’s. Your relationship status with the patient may not be enough to legally give you access to your loved one's medical information. It is a good idea to talk to an expert about securing special legal status, such as Power of Attorney (POA), a legal document that allows an individual to name someone as their decision maker should they no longer be able to make decisions on their own.
It’s important to have all of your loved one’s medical records together in one spot. This makes it much easier for you and your loved one’s physicians to accurately map the patient’s medical journey and more easily share information between doctors. Fortunately, tools exist to make record management and access simple. A free resource like PicnicHealth helps you collect and organize all of this information. PicnicHealth’s intuitive timeline allows you to pinpoint data across the medical history, eliminating your need for keeping heavy binders filled with paper records or keeping track of multiple software portal logins.
The better you understand your loved one's medical history, the better you can advocate on their behalf. Access and understanding of this information will help you to ask informed questions with physicians. Through regular communication backed by the data in the medical records, you can help your loved one’s care team develop a more successful care plan.
Learn more about PicnicHealth’s commitment to the Alzheimer’s community and the Alzheimer’s Association
Learn MoreWhen you’re juggling appointment times and insurance claims, putting a robust support system together might not strike you as the most urgent task. Investing the time to cultivate relationships with people can turn to in times of need will pay dividends. The next time you need a last-minute ride or just someone to listen, you won’t be on your own.
There are many condition-specific support groups and support groups for caregivers generally in person or online. In addition to the encouragement and empathy they provide, support groups can be a helpful source of tips, resources, and recommendations for navigating caregiving.
The backbone of effective caregiving is organization. Keep medical information, appointment schedules, and medication lists in order. Use a planner or a digital service like PicnicHealth to stay on top of your responsibilities. This attention to detail can prevent future complications and reduce day-to-day stress.
We’ve seen incredible breakthroughs in treatment over the past couple of years, powered by patients and their caregivers participating in research. Stay in the loop about the latest in medical advancements and available resources that could benefit your loved one. Whether it’s a new therapy option or a community service that aids independence, being informed can make a world of difference in the quality of care you provide.
It may seem self-centered to focus on self-care—but when you feel good, you can be a better caregiver. Whether it’s exercise, a mindfulness practice, a soak in the bath, or just time to rest when you need it, carve out those moments in the day when you can unwind, reset, and stay healthy mentally and physically. Think of it as building up your reserves of kindness, patience, and understanding—which can only benefit your loved one. No one can pour from an empty cup.
Easily manage all of your loved one's medical records and contribute to ongoing Alzheimer's research with PicnicHealth.
Learn More(from 13 patients with LC-FAOD)
38% Female
15 providers / patient
7.5 years of data / patient
(from 13 patients with LC-FAOD)
We hope you found this session informative! Sign up for PicnicHealth’s Alzheimer’s research program below.
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Explore the essential takeaways from Victoria's Webinar, along with some resources that she shared.
Before your video call:
On the day of your video call:
Receive up to $55 for your participation:
You’ll receive an email from Celestra Health with your account details. Follow those steps to set up your account.
Before your interview:
Use the scheduling link on your PicnicHealth Research Dashboard or the link sent to your email.
You’ll receive an email with your interview time and instructions for joining the call.
On the day of your interview
Click the Zoom link sent to you by email or text message, or use the link available on your PicnicHealth Research Dashboard.
You’ll receive $150 for completing your visit. Available to claim in the Rewards section of your PicnicHealth account after your interview.
If you have questions before, during, or after your interview, we’re here.
