A novel interactive voice response (IVR) system for dementia screening, education, and referral: one-year summary

This article summarizes the data collected from an interactive voice response (IVR) system for dementia screening, education, and referral during its first year of use. After its development and pilot testing, the system was made available to the public via a toll-free number and advertised in targeted, rural areas in the state of Wisconsin. After 1 year of availability, the data gathered by the system suggests that the majority of the callers remained in the system long enough to, at minimum, listen to educational information. The system received calls from both those concerned about themselves and those concerned about another person. The screening portions of the system received significant use, and most individuals receiving positive screens continued to explore the interactive voice response system, suggesting they sought additional information. Overall, the 1-year results support the need for accessible and anonymous resources for individuals concerned about dementia.