title: ComputerLink: electronic support for the home caregiver.
abstract: Computers have become ubiquitous in contemporary society, as has the demand for home care for the elderly. Caregiving is recognized as a normal experience across the life span, and nurses must develop innovative responses to support caregivers. Computer networks offer caregivers access to a wide range of services such as communication, information, and decision support. Presented here is an interim report of a randomized field experiment demonstrating the feasibility of computer networks as a mechanism for delivering nursing services to caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease. Caregivers can and do use the computer network in home care.
authors.affiliation: Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Smyth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000451:nursing*; D003195:Computer Communication Networks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012944:Social Support