Abstract
Objective: This study examines the feasibility of collecting objective measures related to caregiving and assesses how they compare to conventional caregiver tools.
Background: Caregiver instruments using questionnaires assessing subjective aspects of caregiving can be subject to inaccuracies in self-reporting. There is a need for tools that objectively measure and quantify aspects related to caregiving. Home-based, remote-sensing computer systems provide the ability to capture outcome measures related to cognition and everyday functioning. These systems could provide more accurate and unbiased measures related to caregiving and time spent on caregiving.
Design/Methods: Data is derived from EVALUATE-AD, a clinical trial to detect standard dementia treatment transitions. Enrolled participants have MCI or early-stage AD patients and live with a care partner. A pervasive sensing and computing system is deployed in each couple’s home continuously providing data on measures related to caregiver engagement (e.g. time together, sleep disruption). Convergent validity is assessed by examining the correlation between novel outcome measures and the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), administered every three months throughout the year-long trial.
Results: Eight homes are currently enrolled. Caregivers (n=8) have a mean age of 70 years old and a mean baseline ZBI score of 13.2 (range 3–19). Data from passive wall-mounted infrared (IR) sensors are able to determine the time participants spend together in the same room, time apart in different rooms and time when both participants are out of their home. Caregiver sleep disruption associated with partner awakenings can be assessed by combining information from wristwatch actigraphy and IR sensors.
Conclusions: Home-based remote-sensing systems provide a novel method to objectively measure outcomes related to caregiving and time spent on caregiving. These outcomes could be used to assess for quantifiable changes in aspects related to caregiving in future intervention trials and examine the evolution of caregiver engagement as a patient’s condition changes.
Disclosure: Dr. Thomas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Riley has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mattek has nothing to disclose. Dr. Witter has nothing to disclose. Dr. Reynolds has nothing to disclose. Dr. Austin has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sharma has nothing to disclose. Dr. Marcoe has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kaye has nothing to disclose.
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