Advances in Patient Safety: New Directions and Alternative Approaches (Vol. 4: Technology and Medication Safety)

Objective: We report on the first in-home test of “Buddy” assistive technology, which combines PocketPC and Web technologies to support family caregivers. Buddy expands a safety net for dementia patients and family caregivers who choose home vs. institutional care. Methods: Six elderly adult volunteers and two spousal caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease operated Buddy in their homes for 1 to 4 weeks. Participants recorded information concerning their own physical and emotional status and the events of their day. The two caregivers also recorded patient-related events and behaviors. Results: Elderly adults learned to operate Buddy in a home environment without encountering any major technologic hindrances. Web logs provided meaningful information about the home environment. Conclusion: This brief trial indicates that elderly adults, including caregivers, could use a hand-held system for documenting important caregiving and personal activities in their homes without experiencing a significant added burden.

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