AN ELECTRONIC COMMUNITY FOR ALZHEIMER'S CAREGIVERS

其目标是实施一个针对阿尔茨海默病和相关痴呆症(ADRD)护理人员和患者的医疗、社会和心理需求的交互式多媒体和远程通信系统。该系统将ADRD照顾者、患者和其他从社会服务机构到医生和医院的人连接到一个“阿尔茨海默氏症照顾者电子社区”(ECAC)。改善ADRD照顾者和患者的护理和生活质量，可能会推迟就医结果。有三个目标：改进原型-新功能包括减少ADRD患者的焦虑，以及来自同行导师的视频会议支持。对50个对照组和50个试验组家庭进行随机现场试验。参与者来自与波士顿地区一家医院相关的首字母医疗计划。对照家庭接收网络电视，并协助访问网络教育和参考资料。实验家庭获得多媒体PC、电缆调制解调器服务，并获得ECAC系统的教育、技能培训、行为管理工具、阿尔茨海默氏症协会和同伴导师的视频会议以及医疗联系。深入分析家庭照顾者的有效性和福利。数据包括对照顾者和患者的基线评估；功能使用；以及季度身体、心理和社会健康。拟议的商业应用：该作品的商业应用规模很大，而且还在不断增长。今天有1900万美国人的家庭成员患有ADRD。它是第三大最昂贵的疾病，约占900亿美元。随着人口老龄化，这一数字继续快速增长。将需要更多的支持。5%-10%的老年人患有痴呆症，三分之二的人住在家里。ADRD的照顾者有更多的疾病，需要支持。

The objective is to implement an interactive multimedia and tele- communication system targeted at medical, social and psychological needs of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) caregivers and patients. The system links ADRD caregivers, patients, and others from social services to physicians and hospitals into an "Electronic Community for Alzheimer's Caregivers" (ECAC). Improved care and life quality for ADRD caregivers and patients, with potential delay in in- stitutionalization results. There are 3 aims: Improve the prototype - new features include decreasing ADRD patient agitation, and videoconferencing support from Peer Mentors. Conduct randomized field trial with 50 control and 50 experimental group families. Participants are from capitated health plans associated with a Boston area hospital. Control families receive Web TV and assistant in accessing Web educational and reference material. Experimental families receive a multimedia PC, cable modem service, and access to ECAC system of education, skill training, behavior management tools, videoconferencing of Alzheimer's Association and peer mentors, and medical care linkage. In-depth analysis of effectiveness and benefits for family caregivers. Data includes baseline assessments of caregivers and patients; feature usage; and quarterly physical, psychological and social health. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: The commercial application of the work is large and growing. There are 19 million Americans today with family members having ADRD. It is the 3rd most costly disease accounting for approximately $90 billion. As the population ages the number continues to grow rapidly. More support will be needed. 5-10% of all elderly have dementia, 2/3 live at home. The ADRD caregiver is subject to more illness and needs support.