Supporting dementia caregivers in Peru through chatbots: generative AI vs structured conversations.

Abstract

In Peru, dementia caregivers face burnout, depression, stress, and financial strain. Addressing their needs involves tackling the intricacies of caregiving and managing emotional burdens. Chatbots can serve as a viable support mechanism in regions with limited resources. This study delves into the perceptions of dementia caregivers in Peru regarding a chatbot tailored to offer care navigation and emotional support. We divided the study into three phases: the initial stage encompassed engaging stakeholders to define design requirements for the chatbot; the second stage focused on the creation of 'Ana', a chatbot for dementia caregivers; and the final stage assessed the chatbot through interviews and a caregiver satisfaction survey. 'Ana' was tested in two configurations -one employed pre-defined conversation patterns, while the other harnessed generative AI for more dynamic responses. The findings reveal that caregivers seek immediate access to information on handling behavioural symptoms and a platform for emotional release. Moreover, participants preferred the generative AI alternative of Ana, as it was perceived to be more empathic and humanlike. The participants valued the generative approach despite knowing the potential risk of receiving inaccurate information.