Cameron Emilie, Mansfield Elise, Ampofo Ama, Coda Andrea, Boyes Allison
Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia, 61 40420701.
Equity in Health and Wellbeing Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia.
JMIR Form Res. 2025 Aug 22;9:e68333. doi: 10.2196/68333.
Dementia is a major public health priority due to its increasing prevalence and the considerable burden it places on individuals living with the condition and their carers. Internet-based tools can help carers and the people they support to manage daily tasks, access resources and support, track health data, and connect with health care professionals. However, the benefits of these tools will only be realized if the intended users have access to the internet and are confident in its use.
This study aimed to examine the patterns of internet access and use among dementia carers in Australia and the people they support.
A cross-sectional survey of carers providing informal support to a person diagnosed with dementia and living in the community was conducted. Carers were recruited through geriatric clinics, aged care providers, and community organizations between July 2018 and June 2020. Consenting carers self-completed a multitopic survey that included study-specific questions about their access to the internet, confidence using the internet, and whether the person with dementia they support was able to use the internet. Multivariate regression analysis identified sociodemographic factors associated with carers' internet access.
A total of 172 carers (consent rate 47%) with an average age of 71.8 (SD 10.91) years completed the survey. Most carers (126/155, 81%) had access to the internet; however, 31% (47/153) reported they were not at all confident in using it. The likelihood of carers having access to the internet decreased with carers' age (OR [odds ratio] 0.87, 95% CI 0.80-0.96; P=.003). Male carers were 4 times more likely to have internet access than female carers (OR 4.32, 95% CI 1.00-18.6; P=.05). Similarly, carers with private health insurance (an indicator of individual socioeconomic status) were 8 times more likely to have internet access than those without private health insurance (OR 8.45, 95% CI 2.74-26; P<.001). Only 17% (29/166) of carers perceived that the person with dementia they support was able to use the internet independently or with assistance.
Despite high rates of internet access among carers, significant age, gender, and socioeconomic disparities were found, and a notable proportion lacked confidence in its use. Internet use among people with dementia was limited. The digital disparities identified in this study suggest that targeted training to build digital literacy to effectively use internet resources and co-design new technologies is needed. The findings further highlight that in this digital era, alternative methods to deliver dementia care and resources are essential to accommodate those who are unable to access or are less comfortable using the internet.
痴呆症因其患病率不断上升以及给患者及其护理人员带来的巨大负担，成为一个重大的公共卫生优先事项。基于互联网的工具可以帮助护理人员及其所照顾的人管理日常任务、获取资源与支持、跟踪健康数据以及与医疗保健专业人员建立联系。然而，只有目标用户能够接入互联网并对其使用有信心，这些工具的益处才能得以实现。
本研究旨在调查澳大利亚痴呆症护理人员及其所照顾的人使用互联网的模式。
对为社区中被诊断患有痴呆症的人提供非正式支持的护理人员进行了一项横断面调查。2018年7月至2020年6月期间，通过老年诊所、老年护理机构和社区组织招募护理人员。同意参与的护理人员自行完成了一项多主题调查，其中包括关于他们接入互联网的情况、使用互联网的信心以及他们所照顾的痴呆症患者是否能够使用互联网的特定研究问题。多变量回归分析确定了与护理人员接入互联网相关的社会人口学因素。
共有172名护理人员（同意率4
