Evaluation of Technology-Based Interventions for Informal Caregivers of Patients With Dementia—A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Deeken, Friederike; Rezo, Anna; Hinz, Matthias; Discher, Robert; Rapp, Michael A.

doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2018.12.003

Cited by 63 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…However, van Heek et al [39] focused on design perspectives including gathering of data, data access, and storage duration, as well as perceived benefits and barriers, in order to integrate caregivers' perspectives into design of technologies. Our results align with those of other recent studies [38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46] showing that there is a greater likelihood for adoption and use of fall alert wearables among care recipients with dementia, which is assumedly negotiated by the caregiver as a result of care recipient incapacity.…”

Section: Principal Findingssupporting

confidence: 92%

Attitudes Toward Technology and Use of Fall Alert Wearables in Caregiving: Survey Study

Dahlke¹,

Lee²,

Smith³

et al. 2021

JMIR Aging

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Background Wearable technology for fall alerts among older adult care recipients is one of the more frequently studied areas of technology, given the concerning consequences of falls among this population. Falls are quite prevalent in later life. While there is a growing amount of literature on older adults’ acceptance of technology, less is known about how caregivers’ attitudes toward technology can impact care recipients’ use of such technology. Objective The objective of our study was to examine associations between caregivers’ attitudes toward technology for caregiving and care recipients’ use of fall alert wearables. Methods This study examined data collected with an online survey from 626 caregivers for adults 50 years and older. Adapted from the technology acceptance model, a structural equation model tested the following prespecified hypotheses: (1) higher perceived usefulness of technologies for caregiving would predict higher perceived value of and greater interest in technologies for caregiving; (2) higher perceived value of technologies for caregiving would predict greater interest in technologies for caregiving; and (3) greater interest in technologies for caregiving would predict greater use of fall alert wearables among care recipients. Additionally, we included demographic factors (eg, caregivers’ and care recipients’ ages) and caregiving context (eg, caregiver type and caregiving situation) as important predictors of care recipients’ use of fall alert wearables. Results Of 626 total respondents, 548 (87.5%) with all valid responses were included in this study. Among care recipients, 28% used fall alert wearables. The final model had a good to fair model fit: a confirmatory factor index of 0.93, a standardized root mean square residual of 0.049, and root mean square error of approximation of 0.066. Caregivers’ perceived usefulness of technology was positively associated with their attitudes toward using technology in caregiving (b=.70, P<.001) and interest in using technology for caregiving (b=.22, P=.003). Greater perceived value of using technology in caregiving predicted greater interest in using technology for caregiving (b=.65, P<.001). Greater interest in using technology for caregiving was associated with greater likelihood of care recipients using fall alert wearables (b=.27, P<.001). The caregiver type had the strongest inverse relationship with care recipients’ use of fall alert wearables (unpaid vs paid caregiver) (b=–.33, P<.001). Conclusions This study underscores the importance of caregivers’ attitudes in care recipients’ technology use for falls management. Raising awareness and improving perception about technologies for caregiving may help caregivers and care recipients adopt and better utilize technologies that can promote independence and enhance safety.

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Section: Principal Findingssupporting

confidence: 92%

Attitudes Toward Technology and Use of Fall Alert Wearables in Caregiving: Survey Study

Dahlke¹,

Lee²,

Smith³

et al. 2021

JMIR Aging

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Principal Findingssupporting

confidence: 92%

Attitudes Toward Technology and Use of Fall Alert Wearables in Caregiving: Survey Study (Preprint)

Dahlke¹,

Lee²,

Smith³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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BACKGROUND Wearable technology for fall alerts among older adult care recipients is one of the more frequently studied areas of technology, given the concerning consequences of falls among this population. Falls are quite prevalent in later life. While there is a growing amount of literature on older adults’ acceptance of technology, less is known about how caregivers’ attitudes toward technology can impact care recipients’ use of such technology. OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to examine associations between caregivers’ attitudes toward technology for caregiving and care recipients’ use of fall alert wearables. METHODS This study examined data collected with an online survey from 626 caregivers for adults 50 years and older. Adapted from the technology acceptance model, a structural equation model tested the following prespecified hypotheses: (1) higher perceived usefulness of technologies for caregiving would predict higher perceived value of and greater interest in technologies for caregiving; (2) higher perceived value of technologies for caregiving would predict greater interest in technologies for caregiving; and (3) greater interest in technologies for caregiving would predict greater use of fall alert wearables among care recipients. Additionally, we included demographic factors (eg, caregivers’ and care recipients’ ages) and caregiving context (eg, caregiver type and caregiving situation) as important predictors of care recipients’ use of fall alert wearables. RESULTS Of 626 total respondents, 548 (87.5%) with all valid responses were included in this study. Among care recipients, 28% used fall alert wearables. The final model had a good to fair model fit: a confirmatory factor index of 0.93, a standardized root mean square residual of 0.049, and root mean square error of approximation of 0.066. Caregivers’ perceived usefulness of technology was positively associated with their attitudes toward using technology in caregiving (b=.70, P<.001) and interest in using technology for caregiving (b=.22, P=.003). Greater perceived value of using technology in caregiving predicted greater interest in using technology for caregiving (b=.65, P<.001). Greater interest in using technology for caregiving was associated with greater likelihood of care recipients using fall alert wearables (b=.27, P<.001). The caregiver type had the strongest inverse relationship with care recipients’ use of fall alert wearables (unpaid vs paid caregiver) (b=–.33, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS This study underscores the importance of caregivers’ attitudes in care recipients’ technology use for falls management. Raising awareness and improving perception about technologies for caregiving may help caregivers and care recipients adopt and better utilize technologies that can promote independence and enhance safety.

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“…These technological interventions that connect caregivers to professionals, peers, and education have generally demonstrated modest benefits in improving caregiver mental health outcomes (Deeken et al, 2019; Hopwood et al, 2018). Many of these interventions do not focus on the caregiver-person living with dementia dyad and may be limited by the retrospective recall and perspective of the caregiver which further limits the ability to accurately tailor interventions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Satisfaction, utilization, and feasibility of a telehealth intervention for in-home dementia care support: A mixed methods study

et al. 2020

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Background Technology can enhance support for families caring for persons living with dementia but must be acceptable to be adopted. The FamTechCare clinical trial engaged caregivers in video recording care encounters that were reviewed by an expert panel who provided tailored feedback. The intervention reduced caregiver depression and improved caregiver competence. This mixed methods study reports on caregiver satisfaction and utilization of the intervention and expert panel evaluation of the intervention. Methods A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used to evaluate the satisfaction, usability, and feasibility of the FamTechCare intervention. In the multisite randomized controlled trial, caregiver-person living with dementia dyads were randomized to the FamTechCare video support or attention control telephone support groups. Caregivers completed a satisfaction survey at the completion of the 3-month trial. Utilization was evaluated using the number and duration of videos submitted and calls received by caregivers. Relationships between participant characteristics and their satisfaction and utilization were evaluated. Feasibility of the intervention was assessed through content analysis of interviews with the expert panel. Results The majority of caregivers in both groups reported benefits from participation. More FamTechCare caregivers found the interventionist support to be helpful ( p = 0.001) and effective ( p = 0.020) compared to attention control caregivers. FamTechCare caregivers of persons with more severe dementia were more likely to report that video recording intruded on their privacy ( p = 0.050). Caregiver age, gender, education, dyad relationship, rural status, and type and severity of dementia were not associated with ratings of acceptability, ease of use, or intervention utilization. The expert panel described the FamTechCare intervention as useful and identified adaptations to enhance feasibility. Conclusion Regardless of age, gender, and relationship, caregivers found the intervention acceptable and easy to use and rated the expert feedback as effective in addressing care challenges. Further adaptation may be needed for FamTechCare to be readily implemented.

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Evaluation of Technology-Based Interventions for Informal Caregivers of Patients With Dementia—A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Cited by 63 publications

References 68 publications

Attitudes Toward Technology and Use of Fall Alert Wearables in Caregiving: Survey Study

Attitudes Toward Technology and Use of Fall Alert Wearables in Caregiving: Survey Study

Attitudes Toward Technology and Use of Fall Alert Wearables in Caregiving: Survey Study (Preprint)

Satisfaction, utilization, and feasibility of a telehealth intervention for in-home dementia care support: A mixed methods study

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