CareHeroes Web and Android™ Apps for Dementia Caregivers: A Feasibility Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Health Informatics
• Digital Health

Background:

• Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias pose significant caregiving challenges.
• Support for informal caregivers is crucial for managing AD patient well-being.
• Technological solutions are emerging to aid dementia care management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility, utility, and areas for improvement of the CareHeroes application.
• To assess the usability of a novel web-based and Android™ application for AD caregivers.
• To gather insights from caregivers, case managers, and primary care providers (PCPs) on the app's potential.

Main Methods:

• An 11-week feasibility study employing mixed quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
• Involved triads of participants: Alzheimer's disease (AD) caregivers, home care case managers, and primary care providers (PCPs).
• Recruited eleven AD caregivers, six case managers, and five PCPs for participation.

Main Results:

• Participants reported general satisfaction with the CareHeroes app's features and accessibility.
• Key barriers identified include caregiver time constraints and limited technological familiarity.
• The study indicates positive initial reception and usability of the application.

Conclusions:

• The CareHeroes app demonstrates feasibility and utility in supporting individuals caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
• Addressing barriers such as time and technology comfort is essential for wider adoption.
• A longer-term study is recommended to ascertain the app's impact on dementia care outcomes.