ConnectAble: Integrating Mood-Enhancing Products into Dementia Care-A Living Lab Approach for Patients and Caregivers

Abstract

Background: Half of the caregivers in residential care facilities have encountered problem behavior in people with dementia (PwD), including apathetic, wandering, agitation and aggression. With the absence of a cure and the aging population, the number of PwD is projected to rise significantly, placing additional strain on an already overburdened care staff. While many products are available on the market to improve the mood of PwD, they are underutilized in care facilities due to factors such as reluctance to adopt new technologies and limited knowledge of their effectiveness. This project aims to bridge this gap by evaluating products in real-life care environments, aiming to improve the well-being of both PwD and caregivers. Therefore, this project focusses on following goals: enhancing the expertise of caregivers in using products designed for PwD, evaluating and improving the mood of PwD and providing manufacturers with opportunities to test their products in real-life care settings.