title: Latino/Hispanic Alzheimer's caregivers experiencing dementia-related dressing issues: corroboration of the Preservation of Self model and reactions to a "smart dresser" computer-based dressing aid.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To gain an understanding of Latino/Hispanic caregivers' dementia-related dressing issues, their impressions of using a "smart" context-aware dresser to coach dressing, and recommendations to improve its acceptability.
  
  
  METHODS
  The same Latina moderator conducted all the caregiver focus groups. She followed a semi-structured interview guide that was previously used with White and African American family caregivers who experienced Alzheimer's disease related dressing challenges. From that study, the Preservation of Self model emerged. Using a deductive qualitative analytic approach, we applied the thematic domains from the Preservation of Self model to ascertain relevance to Latino/Hispanic caregivers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty Latino/Hispanic experienced caregivers were recruited, enrolled, and participated in one of three focus groups. The majority were female (75%) and either the spouse (25%) or adult child (35%). Striking similarities occurred with the dressing challenges and alignment with the Preservation of Self model. Ethnic differences arose in concerns over assimilation weakening the Latino culture of family caregiving. Regional clothing preferences were noted. Technology improvement recommendations for our system, called DRESS, included developing bilingual prompting dialogs and video modules using the local vernacular to improve cultural sensitivity. Caregivers identified the potential for the technology to enable user privacy, empowerment, and exercise as well as offering respite time for themselves.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest dementia-related dressing issues were shared in common by different racial/ethnic groups but the response to them was influenced by cultural dynamics. For the first time Latino/Hispanic voices are heard to reflect their positive technology impressions, concerns, and recommendations in order to begin to address the cultural digital disparities divide.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Diane Feeney
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Mahoney
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing & Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Coon
authors.affiliation: School of Computing, Informatics and Decision Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Cecil
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lozano
keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Dressing; Latino or Hispanic caregiver; assistive technology; context-aware computing; cross-cultural study; dementia; gerontechnology; qualitative research; smart home