Emerging roles of telemedicine in dementia treatment and care

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Dementia is a neurological disorder that affects memory, thinking, orientation, and other important functions of the brain; telemedicine is a part of the healthcare delivery system involving diagnosis and consultation over telecommunications devices such as mobile phones and computers. In this review, we assessed the impact, accessibility, and possible improvements in telemedicine in dementia treatment. Regarding the use of telemedicine in the treatment, we evaluated its impact on the management of the disease (i.e., diagnosis and follow-up). We also evaluated studies on the current improvements and accessibility of telemedicine in dementia treatment. The review findings showed that it is effective in diagnosing patients, monitoring their progress during treatment, and providing caregiver support. However, studies have revealed a lack of accessibility and improvement in telemedicine among the elderly, particularly in West African countries. Finally, lasting solutions were provided to address the problems in the review permanently.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias in Muslim Women: Recommendations for Culturally Sensitive Care

“…It is imperative that healthcare providers adopt an approach that respects patients' and caregivers' identity, values, and preferences. This is particularly critical in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated existing challenges in ADRD care including limited healthcare access, increased mortality rates, and the rapid implementation of telehealth with limited consideration of cultural barriers [14][15][16][17]. The pandemic has also added an increased burden on caregivers and strained healthcare infrastructure and operations due to re-allocation of limited resources in some communities and geographic regions [18][19][20][21][22].…”