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项目解决了许多家庭的需求，其中分散在广阔地区的成年子女分担支持希望继续独立生活的老人的任务。关爱家庭正在开发信息技术，使家庭成员能够更有效地与老年人沟通，支持他或她的利益，提供有用的信息，同时也帮助家庭成员之间更好地沟通。拟议的研究是一项实地试验的关爱家庭技术，与确定的影响，在刺激老年人的认知活动，在促进与老年人的沟通，在提供有用的信息给老年人，并在整体上，它的影响参与老年人的福祉的目标。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）如果成功的话，CaringFamily技术将改善许多老年人的生活，以及分担责任的家庭成员的福祉，并使老年人能够独立生活更长的时间。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、法律的和财务问题等等。帮助老年人应对这些挑战本身就是对他们家庭的挑战。CaringFamily通信技术将帮助家庭照顾者为老年人提供更好的支持，并更好地相互支持。拟议的研究将创造新的理解家庭内的沟通，以及如何支持它。这也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认为，可以创建一个可行的业务，向公众提供广泛的技术。

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.