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

20 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Research study is being done to demonstrate novel opportunities to transform the way the dementia community is cared for.

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Retro-fitted room with technological enhancements, Smart Home Enhancements, Assistive Technology Integration for dementia?

Research shows that smart home technologies and assistive devices can help people with dementia by supporting their independence and daily activities. These technologies can also delay memory decline and improve cognitive training, making them beneficial in dementia care. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Enhanced Memory Care Environment for Dementia safe for humans?

Research on assistive technology for people with dementia shows it can improve safety by reducing falls, accidents, and risky behaviors at home. No significant safety concerns were found in studies, suggesting these technologies are generally safe for use in humans. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

How is the 'Enhanced Memory Care Environment for Dementia' treatment different from other treatments for dementia?

This treatment is unique because it uses smart home technologies to create a supportive environment for people with dementia, aiming to maintain their independence and enhance their quality of life by integrating assistive technology into their living spaces. ^{1 3 10 11 12}

Research Team

Ying Ying Chen, MD

Principal Investigator

Mayo Clinic

Eligibility Criteria

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

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

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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]

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 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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

References

1. Ireland 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. [2021]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The installation and support of internationally distributed equipment for people with dementia. [2019]

3. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Novel and Intelligent Home Monitoring System for Care Support of Elders with Cognitive Impairment. [2018]

4. England 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. [2023]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Novel IoT Based Positioning and Shadowing System for Dementia Training. [2021]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using external memory aids to increase room finding by older adults with dementia. [2017]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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

8. England 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. [2022]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A passive positioning alarm used by persons with dementia and their spouses--a qualitative intervention study. [2022]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of smart supportive dementia technology in a hospital transitional care setting using human-centred design. [2023]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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

12. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Electronic reminding technology for cognitive impairment. [2012]