Project VITAL at Home: Impact of Technology on Loneliness and Well-Being of Family Caregivers of People with Dementia

ABSTRACT

Objectives

Project VITAL At Home aimed to combat social isolation and loneliness in family caregivers of people with dementia through purposeful engagement and connection. This project examined the effects of technology on caregiver loneliness and well-being, as well as their technology experiences, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Family caregivers were provided iN2L tablets and access to Alzheimer’s Association supportive programs. Caregivers (n = 124) completed online surveys at pre and post evaluation points (average 7 months apart) to assess loneliness, subjective well-being (affect), supportive program usage, and tablet experiences.

Results

Family caregivers had positive perceptions of the tablets for both themselves and their family members. Tablets had positive effects on caregiver well-being, including giving them an additional caregiver tool, alleviating stress, increasing satisfaction with quiet time, and improving access to supportive programs. Caregiver positive affect decreased, but no changes were observed for negative affect or loneliness.

Conclusions

Family caregivers found value in the tablets and showed improvements in some aspects of well-being. Randomized trials are needed to more fully assess the benefits of the intervention.

Clinical Implications

Pairing tablets with caregiving supports is a promising intervention to improve caregivers’ access to vital resources and services and to improve their well-being.

KEYWORDS:

• Dementia
• family caregivers
• loneliness
• social isolation
• tablets
• technology
• well-being

Disclosure statement

LN is employed by the company iN2L as the Lead Researcher. The other authors do not have any competing interests to declare.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, LN, upon reasonable request.

Financial support

Funding for Project VITAL was provided by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (Contract XQVID).

Additional information

Funding

Funding for Project VITAL was provided by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (Contract XQVID).