Beta test of a mobile health application for dementia caregivers

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dementia caregivers are at risk for negative health outcomes. Caregiver interventions to address this risk are limited by time and personnel constraints. Mobile technology is one means of reaching many caregivers while mitigating these constraints. The aim of the current project was to obtain initial data from a month-long beta test of a new mobile health tablet App for dementia caregivers. METHOD: A purposive sample of community-dwelling dementia caregivers was given access to the CARE-Well (Caregiver Assessment, Resources, and Education) App for one month. The App consisted of 6 primary sections: (1) Self-Assessment of Stress and Care Recipient Behavioral Problems; (2) Psychoeducation; (3) Goal Diary; (4) Managing Behavior Problems; (5) Online Message Forum; and (6) Video Library. Feedback was collected from caregivers in a qualitative interview following study completion. Data were analyzed via a mixed-methods approach. RESULT: Caregivers (n = 10) were White, in their mid-60s (M = 66.2, SD = 12.12), and well educated (M = 16.00 years, SD = 1.63). Care recipients had either mild (80%) or moderate dementia (20%), and 90% had probable Alzheimer's disease. The average total time spent on the App across all participants was 754.29 minutes (SD = 1584.12). The most heavily used (in minutes) sections of the App were: Managing Behavior Problems (M = 592.10, SD = 1595.75), Video Library (M = 54.33, SD = 88.18) and Psychoeducation (M = 53.18, SD = 54.50). Qualitative feedback was predominantly positive. Caregivers reported Managing Behavior Problems to be the most helpful section followed by Psychoeducation and Online Message Forum. Caregivers reported difficulty with or disinterest in the Goal Diary section. In general, caregivers reported that the App would have been more helpful earlier in their care recipient's illness. CONCLUSION: Results indicated that caregivers regularly used the App and provided mostly positive responses to content. Findings highlighted the importance of user feedback and an iterative approach for developing digital health technology for dementia caregivers. Future interventions that are introduced earlier in the disease process may be well-received and more beneficial to a wider range of dementia caregivers and their care recipients.