Connecting Elders, Empowering Caregivers

描述（由申请人提供）：智力优点（预期结果）这个小企业创新研究第一阶段的项目解决了许多家庭的需求，在这些家庭中，分散在广阔地区的成年子女分担了赡养一位希望尽可能长时间独立生活的老人的任务。CaringFamily正在开发信息技术，使家庭成员能够更有效地与老人沟通，支持他或她的兴趣并提供有用的信息，同时也帮助家庭成员更好地沟通。本研究是对CaringFamily技术的实地试验，目的是确定技术在促进长者认知活动、促进与长者沟通、为长者提供有用资讯方面的影响，以及整体上对参与长者福祉的影响。这项研究将导致技术的改进，并有助于确定其商业可行性。更广泛的影响（商业方面）如果成功，CaringFamily技术将改善许多老年人的生活，以及分担他们健康责任的家庭成员，并使老年人能够更长时间地独立生活。老年人面临着许多挑战，包括健康问题、处理失去朋友和亲人的问题、法律和经济问题等等。帮助老年人应对这些挑战对他们的家庭来说本身就是一个挑战。CaringFamily通信技术将帮助家庭照顾者更好地为老年人提供支持，并更好地相互支持。这项拟议中的研究将对家庭内部的沟通以及如何支持这种沟通产生新的理解。它还将为促进老年人的认知活动提供新的见解。这项技术的商业潜力是巨大的。CaringFamily相信，可以创建一个可行的业务，将技术广泛地提供给公众。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Intellectual Merits (Anticipated Results) This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project addresses the needs of many families, in which adult children scattered over a wide area share the tasks of supporting an elder who wishes to continue to live independently as long as possible. CaringFamily is developing information technology to allow family members to communicate more effectively with the elder, supporting his or her interests and providing useful information, while also helping family members communicate better among themselves. The proposed research is a field trial of the CaringFamily technology, with the objective of determining the impact of technology in stimulating cognitive activity of elders, in promoting communication with elders, in supplying useful information to elders, and, overall, its impact on the well being of participating elders. The research will lead to improvements in the technology, as well as helping to determine its commercial viability. Broader Impacts (Commercial Aspects) If successful, the CaringFamily technology will improve the lives of many elders, and the family members who share responsibility for their well-being, and make it possible for elders to live independently for a longer period. There are many challenges for elders, including health issues, dealing with the loss of friends and loved ones, legal and financial problems, and more. Helping elders meet these challenges is itself a challenge for their families. The CaringFamily communications technology will help family caregivers provide better support for elders, and better support for one another. The proposed research will create new understanding of communication within families, and how it can be supported. It will also provide new insight into promoting cognitive activity of elders. The commercial potential of the technology is substantial. CaringFamily believes that a viable business can be created that offers the technology to the public on a wide scale.