title: A randomized controlled pilot study to evaluate a technology platform for the assisted living of people with dementia and their carers.
abstract: The use of telemedicine is becoming increasingly popular in assisting with the home management of People with Dementia (PwD) by offering services to the carers that may enhance their ability to care for their relative for longer. A computerized platform, ALADDIN, was evaluated in its usefulness to reduce carer burden and distress and to improve their quality of life, in an attempt to delay institutionalization of PwD. ALADDIN offers educational material about dementia to carers and provides the opportunity to contact other carers and clinicians. ALADDIN also facilitates remote monitoring of the PwD and their carers by the clinicians to enable speedy delivery of appropriate intervention. The ALADDIN platform was piloted at three European sites, and used by thirty carers of PwD living in the community (platform group). The platform group and a control group of thirty PwD and their carers were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. The results showed a significant improvement in the quality of life of the carers in the platform group, with some reduction in carer burden and distress. The platform was useful in monitoring the patients and facilitating contact with other professionals. Access to and use of the ALADDIN platform was rated positively by carers and clinicians. The ALADDIN platform's usefulness and applicability for prolonging the home management of PwD are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience & Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology & The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
authors.forename: Mariam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torkamani
authors.affiliation: Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience & Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology & The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.affiliation: Badalona Serveis Assistencials, Badalona, Spain.
authors.forename: Ignasi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Saez Aguayo
authors.affiliation: The Psychiatric Hospital of Attica, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kanios
authors.affiliation: The Psychiatric Hospital of Attica, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria-Nefeli
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Katsanou
authors.affiliation: Newham University Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Madeley
authors.affiliation: Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience & Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology & The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
authors.forename: Patricia D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Limousin
authors.affiliation: Reta Lila Weston Institute of Neurological Studies, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lees
authors.affiliation: Institute of Communications & Computer Systems, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haritou
authors.affiliation: Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience & Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology & The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jahanshahi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D003142:Communication; D003201:Computers; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Carer burden; dementia; distress; institutionalization; quality of life; telecare; telemedicine