Published In

Innovation in Aging

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-7-2022

Subjects

Geriatrics & Gerontology, Gerontology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Science & Technology

Abstract

Background and Objectives

The Remote Assessment and Dynamic Response (READyR) Program was developed in order to address the current lack of early-stage dementia care planning programs that assess the care needs of persons with dementia. The goal was to create a program informed by care values and ongoing ecologically valid data. The objectives of this study are to describe the development and design process of the READyR Program, and to evaluate the utility of the READyR Program for identifying dementia-related care needs.

Research Design and Methods

A prototype of the web-based READyR Program tool was first created using digital activity data that were collected by previous studies using a platform of multimodal sensors installed in the homes of older adult couples with and without dementia. Digital activity data were then mapped onto potential care values (e.g., safety & autonomy) to create a values-based needs assessment that is tailored to the individual care dyad. Next, evaluation of the READyR Program by 11 professional dementia care coordinators and case managers (across 3 semistructured focus groups) was used to explore the utility of READyR for assessing dementia-related needs. Qualitative description using conventional content analysis was used to iteratively code focus group data and to describe prevalent themes.

Results

Prevalent focus groups themes included barriers to (e.g., family relationship strain) and facilitators of (e.g., tailored assessments) the optimal process for assessing dementia-related care needs by care coordinators, as well as advantages to (e.g., providing new objective insights into function, and routines) and disadvantages of (e.g., bringing up new questions about care) incorporating the remote monitoring data into a values-based needs assessment.

Discussion and Implications

READyR has the potential to help family members, as well as care coordinators and providers, gain insight into the values-based care needs of persons with early-stage dementia.

Clinical Trials Registration Number:NCT04542109

Care values, Digital activity data, Dyadic intervention, Technology, Unmet needs Issue Section: ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE Decision Editor: Richard Pak, PhD

Translational Significance: This study addresses the question: Can persons living with dementia and their spouses or other family care partners plan for dementia-related care needs and improve both persons’ well-being through remote assessment and in-home passive sensing technology? The Remote Assessment and Dynamic Response (READyR) Program was developed using digital activity data from the homes of older adults and found to be useful for a dementia care needs assessment according to focus group feedback from care coordinators. READyR has the potential to provide a more continuous and ecologically valid assessment of changes in daily routines and the related dementia care needs indicated.

Rights

Copyright (c) 2022 The Authors

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.1093/geroni/igac006

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/37423

Included in

Geriatrics Commons

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