Enhanced Memory Care Environment for Dementia

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Mayo Clinic

Disqualifiers: Hospice, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores new ways to improve care for people with dementia by using specially designed rooms with technological upgrades, known as "Retro-fitted rooms with technological enhancements." Participants will either live in these enhanced rooms or continue with standard care to assess the potential benefits to their daily lives. The trial aims to determine if the upgrades can make living with dementia easier and more comfortable. Individuals diagnosed with dementia and residing in the Arbor Terrace memory care unit are eligible to join. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance the quality of life for those with dementia.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that these smart home enhancements are safe for dementia patients?

Research has shown that using technology in homes can enhance safety for people with dementia. Studies on assistive technology have found it reduces falls, accidents, and risky behaviors at home. Rooms updated with these tech features are generally well-received and improve safety for those with dementia.

In simpler terms, these tech upgrades make daily life safer and easier for people with dementia. No specific reports of negative effects from these enhancements have emerged, making them a promising option for better care. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Enhanced Memory Care Environment for dementia because it uses a retro-fitted room with technological enhancements, offering a fresh approach compared to traditional treatments like medications and cognitive therapies. Unlike standard care, which often focuses on managing symptoms with drugs, this method aims to create an environment that supports cognitive function and daily living. By integrating technology into the living space, it could potentially enhance memory and quality of life in a more holistic way, making day-to-day activities easier and more engaging for those with dementia.

What evidence suggests that this retro-fitted room with technological enhancements is effective for dementia?

Research has shown that using technology at home can help people with dementia live more independently and safely. Some studies suggest that smart home devices, such as sensors and alarms, create a supportive environment for them. In this trial, participants in the intervention group will live in a retro-fitted room with technological enhancements to evaluate the effectiveness of these technologies. Tools that assist with daily tasks may also reduce stress for caregivers, making their job easier. Overall, while these technologies seem promising, more research is needed to fully understand how they can best support people with dementia. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Ying Ying Chen, MD

Principal Investigator

Mayo Clinic

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for patients living in the Arbor Terrace memory care unit who have been diagnosed with dementia. It's not suitable for hospice patients expected to live less than 30 days.

Inclusion Criteria

Patients currently residing at Arbor Terrace memory care unit

Patients diagnosed with dementia

Exclusion Criteria

Hospice patients with less than 30 days of life expectancy at the time of enrollment

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Subjects with dementia will be living in a retro-fitted room with technological enhancements

12 months

Monthly assessments

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Retro-fitted room with technological enhancements

Trial Overview The study is testing a redesigned room equipped with technological enhancements aimed at improving the quality of care for individuals with dementia.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects with dementia will be living in a retro-fitted room with technological enhancements for a 12 month period.

Group II: Standard of Care Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Mayo Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,427

Recruited

3,221,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A scoping review of five studies involving 617 community-dwelling older adults with dementia suggests that smart home technologies may improve various health outcomes, including physical activity, sleep, and cognitive functioning.

Despite the potential benefits, the overall quality of the studies was low, indicating a need for more rigorous research to better understand the effectiveness of these technologies in supporting dementia care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effectiveness of smart home technologies to support the health outcomes of community-dwelling older adults living with dementia: A scoping review. Moyle, W., Murfield, J., Lion, K.[2021]

The study explores the implementation of supportive smart home technology for older adults with dementia in a hospital alternative care setting, highlighting its potential benefits beyond private homes.

Researchers are using human-centered design and implementation strategies to address the challenges of integrating this technology into healthcare environments, aiming to improve adoption and effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of smart supportive dementia technology in a hospital transitional care setting using human-centred design. Knoefel, F., Trudel, C., Jaana, M., et al.[2023]

The proposed smart home system effectively monitored daily living activities and health metrics for individuals with cognitive impairment, leading to improvements in neuropsychological assessments and physical condition over the trial period.

By detecting abnormalities in sleep patterns and other activities, the system enabled targeted psychosocial interventions, demonstrating its potential to enhance the quality of life and cognitive function for people with dementia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Novel and Intelligent Home Monitoring System for Care Support of Elders with Cognitive Impairment. Lazarou, I., Karakostas, A., Stavropoulos, TG., et al.[2018]

Dementia is increasingly prevalent and leads to significant disability, often resulting in individuals needing to move to nursing homes due to inadequate support for their physical and psychological needs.

There is a pressing need for affordable and effective technologies to enhance dementia care, which can help individuals remain in their communities, maintain autonomy, and promote social participation, yet these technologies are currently underutilized in dementia care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The promise of technology in the future of dementia care. Moyle, W.[2022]

A new cognitive training application called the 'positioning and shadowing system' effectively supports short-term memory in dementia patients by integrating physical and digital technologies, such as Bluetooth and location algorithms.

Pilot tests showed that this system not only improved cognitive training outcomes but also received positive feedback from participants regarding its usability and satisfaction, indicating its potential for enhancing dementia care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Novel IoT Based Positioning and Shadowing System for Dementia Training. Hung, LP., Huang, W., Shih, JY., et al.[2021]

Assistive technology designed to enhance the independence of individuals with dementia was evaluated in their own homes, highlighting the importance of real-world testing for effectiveness.

The study emphasizes that supporting people with dementia requires specific relational skills, which are often lacking in traditional technical support roles, suggesting a need for better training in this area.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The installation and support of internationally distributed equipment for people with dementia. Adlam, T., Faulkner, R., Orpwood, R., et al.[2019]

The study involved five couples, each with a person diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and highlighted that over time, users developed trust in a passive positioning alarm, which was crucial for its perceived value in daily life.

The findings suggest that for the passive positioning alarm to be effective, it should be tailored to individual user needs and abilities, enhancing safety for persons with dementia while allowing them to spend time outdoors independently.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A passive positioning alarm used by persons with dementia and their spouses--a qualitative intervention study. Olsson, A., Engström, M., Lampic, C., et al.[2022]

Using external memory aids, like a portrait photograph and a name sign, significantly improved room finding for nursing home residents with severe Alzheimer's disease, increasing their success rate by over 50%.

All three participants achieved 100% accuracy in locating their rooms within a few days of implementing these memory aids, demonstrating the effectiveness of this simple environmental intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using external memory aids to increase room finding by older adults with dementia. Nolan, BA., Mathews, RM., Harrison, M.[2017]

Assistive technology (AT) did not significantly reduce care home admissions for people with dementia, based on a review of three randomized controlled trials involving 245 participants.

However, AT was effective in reducing the risk of falls by 50% and decreasing risky behaviors and accidents at home, indicating it can enhance safety for individuals with dementia living independently.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of assistive technology in improving the safety of people with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Brims, L., Oliver, K.[2022]

A pilot study involving 6 residents with dementia revealed that most participants were satisfied with a new memory aid technology designed to support their daily activities, indicating its potential efficacy in enhancing their quality of life.

However, challenges such as installation errors, limited ease of use, and insufficient knowledge about the device hindered successful implementation, highlighting the need for further development and improvements in the technology.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Experiences of using a memory aid to structure and support daily activities in a small-scale group accommodation for people with dementia. Kerkhof, YJ., Rabiee, F., Willems, CG.[2022]

Technology, particularly electronic reminding devices, can significantly assist older adults with cognitive impairments, such as those caused by dementia, in performing daily activities and maintaining their independence.

The review highlights a range of devices from simple phones to advanced interactive technologies, suggesting that these tools can enhance the quality of life for individuals facing memory challenges.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Electronic reminding technology for cognitive impairment. Mason, S., Craig, D., O'Neill, S., et al.[2012]

Assistive technology, particularly smart building interventions, can positively influence health behaviors in people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by utilizing behavior change mechanisms like facilitation and incentive motivation, as identified through expert interviews and a literature review involving 21 studies.

Personalization of these interventions to meet individual needs and preferences is crucial, as well as adapting cues over time to align with the progression of dementia, to enhance coping strategies and improve quality of life.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influencing health behaviour using smart building interventions for people with dementia and mild cognitive impairment: expert interviews and a systematic literature review. Hammink, JHWC., Moor, JAN., Mohammadi, MM.[2023]

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-dementia-1-2020-dca5c

Enhanced Memory Care Environment for Dementia What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Retro-fitted room with technological enhancements, Smart Home Enhancements, Assistive Technology ...

2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34116363/

The effectiveness of smart home technologies to support ... Based on current evidence, the success of smart home technologies to support people with dementia to live at home remains unclear.

3. aspe.hhs.gov aspe.hhs.gov/reports/accelerating-adoption-assistive-technology-reduce-physical-strain-among-family-caregivers-1

Accelerating Adoption of Assistive Technology to Reduce ... This report examines and assesses the often overlooked potential of assistive technology (AT) to benefit unpaid family caregivers who assist chronically ...

4. rehab.jmir.org rehab.jmir.org/2025/1/e70855

Mainstream Smart Home Technology–Based Intervention to ... The study aims to describe a comprehensive MSHT-based intervention named ASSIST (Autonomy, Safety, and Social Integration via Smart Technologies)

5. alzint.org alzint.org/u/WorldAlzheimerReport2020Vol1.pdf

World Alzheimer Report 2020 – Design Dignity Dementia World Alzheimer. Report 2020: Design Dignity Dementia: dementia-related design and the built environment Volume 1, London, England: Alzheimer's Disease ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12062758/

Mainstream Smart Home Technology–Based Intervention to ... The study aims to describe a comprehensive MSHT-based intervention named ASSIST (Autonomy, Safety, and Social Integration via Smart Technologies)

7. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/354176962_Smart_home_modification_design_strategies_for_ageing_in_place_a_systematic_review

(PDF) Smart home modification design strategies for ... PDF | This research explores current strategies and approaches directed to integrate innovative technologies in the home modification process to support.

8. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10901-021-09888-z

Smart home modification design strategies for ageing in ... This research explores current strategies and approaches directed to integrate innovative technologies in the home modification process to support independent ...