Crossing the digital divide : family caregivers' acceptance of technology

The purpose of this pilot project was to collect data on how electronic technology might be used to assist family members who are caring for a relative with dementia at home. In Phase 1, we conducted five focus groups with 26 caregivers of relatives with dementia to document the specific challenges faced by caregivers and assess their access to, and familiarity with, electronic technology. In Phase 2, a technology-based solution B the Xanboo Smart House Management System B was identified. The System allows monitoring of a residence through placement and control of video cameras and other enabled devices, including sensors that detect motion, the presence of water, or noise. Sensors may be set to provide a caregiver or other interested party with immediate notification by e-mail, pager, or text messaging cell phone. In Phase 3, a household was outfitted with The System and two focus groups comprised of 8 caregivers to relatives with dementia were conducted to evaluate its utility. The report concludes with an annotated bibliography on technology and aging, with special focus on caring for a relative with dementia. Key Findings: Caregivers and the relatives for whom they provide care are in an evolving struggle to maintain continuity of roles, relationships, and lifestyles. Challenges include the safety of the individual with dementia and keeping geographically distant family members aware of their relative s condition. Caregivers used a range of technologies in their day-to-day lives, including low- tech solutions to challenges in caregiving. Caregivers felt strongly that technological solutions were neither appropriate nor useful across all situations, and were cognizant of the inherent trade-off between safety on the one hand and dignity, respect, privacy, and desires for independence and autonomy on the other hand. Caregivers do not aspire to become technology whizzes ; rather, they are interested in easily obtained, affordable, easy to use, solutions to some of the challenges they face. An affordable, easy to use, off the shelf, monitoring system (The System) was identified. Caregivers attitudes regarding The System were generally quite positive. When prompted to identify barriers to using The System, caregivers identified the need for a computer and Internet access, and cost. Conclusions: The results from this pilot project suggest that there are affordable technologies that can assist family members in their efforts to care for relatives with dementia at home, and that these caregivers were amenable to the use of these technologies. Future efforts should evaluate the installation, use, and impact of The System in the homes of family caregivers to relatives with dementia

Picking up the tab : families discuss the financial impact of caregiving

This qualitative study analyzed the stories and circumstances of family caregivers to older adults with an emphasis on understanding the financial implications of caregiving. Themes included: the timing of the caregiving episode, planning for long-term care needs, relationships within the family, the process and effects of decisions and choices, legal issues, work issues, caregiving and non-caregiving expenses, and non-financial costs related to caregiving

Ohio long-term care factbook

This publication describes the current state of long-term care in Ohio as well as projections of the state s future disability rates and LTC needs. It includes descriptions of the variety of settings in which LTC is provided (home and community-based as well as institutional), profiles of LTC residents, sources of LTC funding, and the types of services and forms of caregiving (both formal and informal) that occur in Ohio. A listing of further resources, including websites offering additional information is featured in this fact book

The value of long-term care in Ohio : public dollars and private dedications

This report provides estimates of the number of older people in Ohio who received long-term care in 1999 and identifies: 1) Whether they are receiving formal care: a) in an institution; b) in the community; or c) receiving informal care from family, friends, and neighbors in the community. 2) The value of care provided in each setting; and 3) Who paid for the care? In addition, this report discusses whether Ohio can continue with its present policies, given an expected and unprecedented increase in the number of older people as well as disabled, older people in the next 50 years

Training Case Managers to Administer the Service Adequacy and Satisfaction Instrument (SASI)

This manual provides training for case managers to conduct satisfaction interviews using the Service Adequacy and Satisfaction Instrument. The SASI examines consumer satisfaction with homemaker, personal care, and home-delivered meals services

Training Case Managers to Administer the Service Adequacy and Satisfaction Instrument (SASI)

This manual provides instruction for face-to-face interviewing using the Service Adequacy and Satisfaction Instrument