Connected HEalth Supporting home Stay with dementia (CHESS)
Dementia is an umbrella term for a condition in older people where memory loss, deterioration in mental function and ability to make decisions or carry out activities of daily life independently and safely occurs. When dementia progresses, care in a nursing home may be necessary, but most people with dementia and their caregivers want to stay living at home if possible. It is difficult for family and caregivers to cope as the condition worsens and caregiver support can be lacking.
We propose a new model of dementia care which brings technology into the home with the aim of connecting the person with dementia (PwD) and their caregiver to the family doctor, hospital specialist, nurses and other members of the healthcare team with the aim of improving care and supporting the caregiver.
By providing a simple computer tablet and devices to measure blood pressure, weight, activity and sleep, the caregiver can monitor the health of the (PwD) and share the information with the healthcare team over the internet. The caregiver can also report symptoms shown by the person with dementia and most importantly report how they feel themselves and how they are coping. The healthcare team can then respond quickly and they can even video-call the caregiver back. The computer tablet also works as a communication link between the caregiver and support groups. It can bring information and education about dementia management directly to the caregiver. Another advantage is that the healthcare professionals know exactly what decisions and treatments each has recommended, so patient care is more joined-up and efficient.
This study will test this Connected Health model to assess what happens over time and also to compare its usefulness to usual care without the technology. This study will assess the treatment of this disease, from the viewpoint of the carer and the health professionals.
- Award Date
- 25 June 2015
- Award Value
- €329944.00
- Principal Investigator
- Dr Catherine Blake
- Host Institution
- University College Dublin
- Scheme
- Applied Research Projects in Dementia