A recent study funded by the Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium and led by researchers from Texas A&M University School of Public Health has highlighted the benefits of wearable technology in assisting caregivers of people with dementia. The study focused on the user satisfaction of one specific brand, Theora Care, which provides a wearable device for the person with dementia, paired with a smartphone application that alerts the caregiver if the person wanders.
The research showed that caregivers found the technology to be useful in reducing stress and increasing their overall satisfaction with caregiving. Participants reported that the system increased situational awareness for both the caregiver and the person with dementia. The wearable device resembles a smartwatch and includes a GPS function, SOS emergency calling, and two-way communication.
Caregivers reported that their satisfaction with the system was higher if they had higher baseline stress levels. The study also found that caregivers benefited from the peace of mind of knowing their loved one was wearing the device, resulting in less need for certain features of the system on a daily basis. Overall, the study concluded that multi-component technological solutions like Theora Care could be adopted to benefit both caregivers and individuals living with dementia.
These findings shed light on the potential of wearable technology to support caregivers and enhance the quality of care for people with dementia. With rates of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia on the rise, these technological solutions could provide much-needed support and relief for millions of caregivers across the country.
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