Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
Abstract In this phase 2b SBIR, we aim to support caregivers of Persons with Memory Concerns (PWMC) through development of an informatics system to both increase PWMC social engagement and promote care coordination. Based on positive response from our completed phase 2 project, the new phase 2b will deploy an augmented version of our Social Reminder System app technology, adding new features suggested by participants in our phase 2 randomized control trial and qualitative interviews with users. The new Social Reminder System will focus on decreasing caregiver stress and care burden with features to make the system more mobile and allow for remote monitoring of PWMC by caregivers. More than a third of older adults - and more than 25% of older adults with memory concerns - do not live with their care provider. There are more than 14 million older adults that may be at an increased risk of social isolation and when coupled with memory concerns, may face potentially hazardous safety risks. Even co-resident care providers who work or spend time away from home may face elevated risk due to episodic absences and having to share care responsibilities with a broad network of friends and family. These issues have been shown to lead to elevated care burden, elevated stress levels for care providers, and premature nursing home placement. Tech-enabled reminder systems can increase social interaction and promote care coordination, but often face barriers to uptake due to older adults’ documented reservations with technology engagement. Our next-generation social reminder system will run on a tablet computer and is designed to promote social engagement and ease caregiver burden for care providers. Modifications are designed to enhance (1) uptake and ease-of-use by older adult’s care providers and PWMC, (2) tools to promote social engagement for PWMC, (3) remote monitoring, and (4) care coordination care by care providers. Ease-of-use: Tablets will automatically connect to caregiver approved trusted circle members’ cell phones. Social connection: reminders will now include both social and care support service visitors. The new system will also provide a two-phase reminder system: one before the visit and a separate reminder during the visit. The system will also allow trusted circle members to record a standing message that plays prior to arrival (e.g., for standing appointments and care services), or a one-time message stating the name of the visitor and the purpose of the visit. Care coordination: the system will designate a care provider who will receive notifications for any cell phones with the free app that comes within range of the PWMC’s tablet. This will allow caregivers to monitor all visitors to PWMCs (social, scheduled care, and medical services). We further include a feature that allows visitors to set reminders for caregivers for (1) upcoming visits, (2) upcoming medical appointments, or (3) any notes from medical visits. Location information will now be a part of the system. The caregiver will be able to use their care coordination app to monitor if the PWMC has been taken to an appointment. Remote monitoring: To enhance security, the system will retain a log of all visitors - which will allow tracking any package deliveries or solicitations - and will retain a log of all visitors.
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