Overview
Dementia, a chronic disease of aging, is characterized by progressive cognitive decline that interferes with independent functioning. The medical, psychological, social and functional sequelae of dementia cause great stress to patients, their caregivers, and their family. The investigator proposes to examine effectivness of a home-based care coordination and management device, called Care4AD to help caregivers effectively coordinate, manage, and improve dementia care.
Description
In this study the investigator will assess the effectiveness of a care coordination device (a supportive care device) called, Care4AD for reducing burden and stress of caregivers, enhancing patient adherence to scheduled tasks, and increasing Individuals with dementia activity (IWD). The investigator will conduct a 6-month prospective randomized control trial (RCT) of 100 persons with mild to moderately severe dementia to examine changes in caregiver's burden and stress and IWD's physical activity and adherence to scheduled ADLs. Feedback (e.g., reminders about completed/incomplete tasks) will be activated in the intervention group (IG) and de-activated in the control group (CG). The investigator will also use an ADL log and bi-weekly phone interview with a caregiver as gold standards to validate the detection of adherence to scheduled ADLs of interest. Furthermore, the acceptability, perception of benefit, and ease of use of Care4AD will be further assessed using technology acceptance model (TAM). We hypothesize that at 6 months, those in the IG compared to the CG will have less caregiver burden (Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) (primary outcome), greater IWD adherence to scheduled ADLs (primary outcome), and higher IWD physical function and activity (primary outcome). Secondary outcomes will include caregiver coping (Brief Cope), self-efficacy (Revised Scale for Caregiving Self-Efficacy), and preparedness (Preparedness for Caregiving Scale), and quality of life of IWD (Quality of Life in Alzheimer's disease scale)
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria include:
- Older patients (> 65 years old) with mild or moderate Alzheimer's Disease
- Must be ambulatory
- Must be in a residential home with a caregiver/informant.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Immobility or inability to engage in activities that are essential for independent living (e.g., patients with severe dementia);
- Any significant medical or psychiatric condition that, in the judgment of the investigators, would potentially interfere with the ability to participate in the study
- Major hearing/visual impairment;
- Residing in a nursing home or are receiving hospice care;
- Inability to communicate in English or Spanish;
- Unavailability or unwillingness of the caregiver of the patient to attend the interview.