title: The results from a two-year case study of an information and communication technology support system for family caregivers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to better understand how information and communication technology (ICT) can provide support to elderly family caregivers caring for significant others suffering from dementia or stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten households equipped with an ICT system, with a family caregiver and a spouse diagnosed with dementia or stroke, were followed and observed in a two-year case study. The family caregivers had regular meetings in groups organised by the municipal care of the elderly. Data from observations, semi-structured interviews, user data from the ICT system and data about the support provided by the municipality has been used to validate the findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The family caregivers socialised with users in the group as long as the users were stayed in the group. Meetings in the group were an important opportunity for exchanging experiences and to easing one"s mind. The ICT system did not reduce the municipality"s level of services to the participating families. The information built into the system has to be constantly updated to be of interest.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An ICT support must be provided in a context of personal meetings and with a formal caregiver backing. This will empower informal or family caregivers. Such support must give the user the possibility to communicate and get access to the Internet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Benefits were obtained when informal caregivers met with a group of people with whom they share the same kind of experiences and were supported by a formal caregiver. Informal caregivers need more attention and recognition. ICT systems can help but must be current and maintain the users interest.
authors.affiliation: The School of Health and Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology , Haninge , Sweden.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lundberg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D058015:Health Communication; D066275:Health Information Exchange; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D012944:Social Support; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D049269:Videoconferencing
keywords: Ageing in place; Alzheimer’s disease; caregiver; dementia; elderly; stroke