March 27, 2021 7:15am
If you are caring or have cared for a family member with Alzheimer’s or dementia, a research team at Western University wants to hear from you.
They’re hoping to find the best paths for using technology to enhance at home care, in order to keep those in cognitive decline in their homes as long as possible.
Anyone who has cared for a loved one in this situation is asked to fill out a survey. Researchers will then take data from the survey to help craft products designed for caregivers.
“That support can range from social support, like talking on the phone, visiting them to keep them company, shopping for them, running other errands for them, all the way to household chores, maintenance, meal prep,” said Dr. Brad Hiebert when asked about who they’re hoping would fill out the survey. “The care giving experience differs greatly from one person to another.”
They are hoping new digital technologies and products can make care giving easier for friends and family members.
“This research is as much about supporting the individual with cognitive decline as it is about understand how digital technology currently is or may be able to support the care giver,” said Dr. Heibert.
The survey can be found here and there’s more information on the study’s Facebook page.
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