Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
Leibniz Science Campus Digital Public Health, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Sep 2;19(17):10956. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191710956.
Impaired memory function and challenges in communication affect the ability of people living with dementia to interact with family caregivers socially. The onset of dementia in a family member and the communication challenges that follow can lead to conflict, isolation and loss of closeness in the relationship. I-CARE is a tablet-based technology providing leisure activities specifically designed for people living with dementia to do in tandem with caregivers. The intention is that caregiving dyads engage with I-CARE together, using the activities contained in the system as the basis for positive social interactions. This paper reports on a mixed-methods feasibility study of I-CARE, evaluating the system's usability and assessing the impact on caregiving dyads. We also explored barriers and facilitators to independent use of the technology among community-dwelling people living with dementia and their family caregiver. Results suggest that I-CARE is a feasible tool to facilitate positive experiences in dementia caregiving dyads. Important relationship outcomes for the participating dyads were enrichment in social interactions, facilitated communication, having a shared activity and relationship sustenance. Successful uptake requires continuous proactive support tailored to the needs and preconditions of users over an extended time until they feel confident using the system independently.
记忆功能受损和沟通障碍会影响痴呆症患者与家庭照顾者进行社交互动的能力。家庭成员出现痴呆症和随之而来的沟通挑战会导致冲突、孤立和关系亲密感的丧失。I-CARE 是一种基于平板电脑的技术，为痴呆症患者提供专门设计的休闲活动，与照顾者一起进行。其目的是让护理二人组一起使用该系统中的活动，作为积极社交互动的基础。本文报告了 I-CARE 的一项混合方法可行性研究，评估了该系统的可用性，并评估了对护理二人组的影响。我们还探讨了独立使用该技术的社区居住的痴呆症患者及其家庭照顾者面临的障碍和促进因素。结果表明，I-CARE 是促进痴呆症护理二人组积极体验的一种可行工具。对参与二人组重要的关系结果是丰富社交互动、促进沟通、有共同的活动和维持关系。成功采用需要持续主动支持，根据用户的需求和前提条件进行定制，并在较长时间内提供，直到他们有信心独立使用该系统。
