Need: An estimated 6.2 million Americans are currently suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD), and, without significantbreakthroughs, 12.7 million Americans will be suffering from AD in 2050. While much emphasis has been placed onimproving dementia care in long-term care (LTC) over the past decades, the thrust to improve dementia care at home hastaken a back seat in some regards. This is unfortunate, because about 70% of PWD (â4.3 million) live in the community.PWD who live at home are at high risk of isolation, loneliness, and depression. In fact, 50% of older adults are known to beat risk for loneliness, and 53% report experiencing depressive symptoms. Three Existing Solutions with Significant Limitations: There are three main existing solutions to the social isolationexperienced by PWD. First, one could provide social engagement by employing a home health service. However, homehealth only provides engagement with one other person-i.e., a home health worker who is typically much younger thanthe PWD. Second, one could provide social engagement via adult day services. But adult day centers (ADCs) are notavailable in all areas (this is especially true in rural areas) and, even when they are, traveling to an ADC presents a logisticalissue for the PWD and family members. Third, one could hire (or arrange for) a trained professional (and/or volunteer) tovisit the PWD in their home specifically for the purpose of social engagement is also possible. However, this type of serviceis relatively rare (especially in rural areas) and is typically very expensive. Innovation: The proposed Phase 1 study will involve initial development and evaluation of an innovative new servicecalled Social Activities For Engagement at Home or SAFE at Home (SaH). SaH will enable community-dwelling PWD toparticipate in videoconference-based group activities with their peers-i.e., other PWD. SaH sessions will be facilitated byhighly trained "Engagement Professionals," who will have a background in recreation therapy, activity coordination, or asimilar field. Each SaH Engagement Professional will receive extensive training and coaching on how to properly engagePWD in videoconference-based activity sessions. Activity materials will be visible to participants through the use ofscreensharing and will be comprised of Hearthstone's proprietary evidence-based activities. Each SaH session will becomprised of up to five PWD, plus one Engagement Professional, who will facilitate the sessions. Participants will bematched based upon approximate cognitive and communication ability, as well as upon their interests and background. Bygrouping PWD in this way, there will be a relatively high likelihood that they will enjoy taking part in sessions together. Specific Aims: The proposed study has three Specific Aims: · Aim 1. Develop an Alpha version of the SaH app, including app infrastructure and preliminary activity content for live group sessions, as well as staff training and coaching modules. · Aim 2. Examine the app's acceptability/feasibility (by assessing attendance, session length, and engagement/affect). · Aim 3. Examine satisfaction with the app by directly eliciting feedback from PWD and life enrichment staff.
Public Health Relevance Statement: PROJECT NARRATIVE
An estimated 6.2 million Americans are currently suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD), and without significant
breakthroughs 12.7 million Americans will be suffering from AD in 2050. AD presents a public health concern, due to the
significant cost required to care for persons with dementia (PWD) and to the mental and physical stress placed upon
caregivers. The proposed Phase 1 study will involve the creation and testing of the SAFE at Home service, which will allow
PWD living at home to participate in innovative, evidence based group activities with peers (other PWD) via
videoconference.
Project Terms: <21+ years old>
