Hettinga, Marike, De Boer, Johannes, Goldberg, Eli, Moelaert, Ferial

Community dwelling is a problem for people with dementia. Can GPS route navigation support on a mobile device provide a solution? In a small scale exploratory research with this target group we studied the effects of two different types of audio instructions and assessed the pedestrian safety while operating the device. Methodological issues that limited […]

Granata, C., Pino, M., Legouverneur, G., Vidal, J. S., Bidaud, P., Rigaud, A. S.

Background: Socially assistive robotics for elderly care is a growing field. However, although robotics has the potential to support elderly in daily tasks by offering specific services, the development of usable interfaces is still a challenge. Since several factors such as age or disease-related changes in perceptual or cognitive abilities and familiarity with computer technologies […]

Gies, Cheryl, Pierce, Linda, Steiner, Victoria, van der Bijl, Joan, Salvador, Diane

Purpose and Design: Most of the 5.4 million Americans with dementia are cared for by family members who experience care needs and time constraints. This quasi-experimental study examined the experience of using a psychosocial assessment instrument to understand caregiver needs delivered in an interview versus a self-administered web-based format.; Methods: Ten family caregivers were randomized […]

Finn, Maurice, McDonald, Skye

The results of a pilot randomised controlled trial of computerised cognitive training in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are reported. Participants (N = 25) were randomised into either the treatment or waitlist training groups. Sixteen participants completed the 30-session computerised cognitive training program using exercises that target a range of cognitive functions including […]

Davis, Jennifer Duncan, Tremont, Geoffrey, Bishop, Duane S., Fortinsky, Richard H.

Objective: Study the preliminary efficacy of a telephone intervention, Family Intervention: Telephone Tracking-Nursing Home (FITT-NH) for improving dementia caregivers’ adjustment following nursing home placement.; Methods: Caregivers were enrolled on average 6 weeks following the care-recipients’ placement in a nursing home. Baseline assessment included self-report measures of caregiver emotional functioning, staff-caregiver interactions, placement satisfaction, health-related quality […]

Czaja, Sara J., Loewenstein, David, Schulz, Richard, Nair, Sankaran N., Perdomo, Dolores

Background/objectives: Available services and intervention programs for dementia caregivers are often underutilized because of issues such as cost, logistics, lack of knowledge about available services, or insufficient support from others. Information technologies offer the potential of removing these barriers and facilitating the ability of caregivers to access needed support. This project evaluated the feasibility and […]

Anderson-Hanley, Cay, Arciero, Paul J., Brickman, Adam M., Nimon, Joseph P., Okuma, Naoko, Westen, Sarah C., Merz, Molly E., Pence, Brandt D., Woods, Jeffrey A., Kramer, Arthur F., Zimmerman, Earl A.

Background: Dementia cases may reach 100 million by 2050. Interventions are sought to curb or prevent cognitive decline. Exercise yields cognitive benefits, but few older adults exercise. Virtual reality-enhanced exercise or “exergames” may elicit greater participation.; Purpose: To test the following hypotheses: (1) stationary cycling with virtual reality tours (“cybercycle”) will enhance executive function and […]