Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Health Informatics
• Home Care Technology

Background:

• The Idem Clock is a smart, connected device designed for remote medication reminder scheduling and confirmation monitoring.
• A pilot study was conducted to assess its value in home care, focusing on reducing in-home visits for medication administration.
• Secondary impacts on daily living activities and social isolation were also evaluated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Idem Clock's effectiveness in reducing health and social service assistant visits for medication administration in home care.
• To assess the impact of the Idem Clock on daily living activities and social isolation in older adults with cognitive impairments.
• To determine the potential for cost savings and improved resource utilization in home care settings.

Main Methods:

• A seven-month study involving 48 older adults with mild to moderate cognitive impairments requiring medication reminders.
• Participants used the Idem Clock, which displayed scheduled medication reminders, with nurses monitoring compliance.
• Evaluation included participant feedback, re-evaluations, and home visits.

Main Results:

• The Idem Clock was used for an average of 66 days, with 81% of participants continuing use post-trial.
• A total of 6,365 home visits were avoided, with 53 visits avoided per programmed reminder.
• Users confirmed 80% of the average 68 monthly reminders, resulting in estimated cost savings of CAD 80,842.

Conclusions:

• The Idem Clock shows significant potential to enhance home care by reducing resource use and promoting self-management in older adults.
• Findings support broader implementation of the Idem Clock in diverse care settings.
• Refinements to improve usability and application across different care environments are recommended.