ETC – Research and Development of Tech Solutions for Home Caregivers

By project HoCare

Published on 17 August 2022

Portugal

Região Autónoma da Madeira

About this good practice

The ETC project is a quasi-experimental study, in which it seeks to assess the added value arising for the mental health and well-being of informal caregivers of semi-dependent users, through the pre- assessment of the use of technological devices. wearables for remote monitoring of parameters associated with the physical and mental well- being of the person cared for and the caregiver, as well as the design of new technological experiences and adaptation and redesign of existing ones with a view to increasing the effectiveness and frequency of use of the same and, respective comparison and evaluation of the impact in the mental well-being of the informal caregiver.

The goals were:

O1: Assess the impact of the use of wearables on the mental health well-being of informal caregivers;
O2: Test the suitability of such devices and respective training protocols (packs) in response to the needs perceived by informal caregivers;
O3: Based on the results of O1 and O2, idealize, design and develop new technological experiences for carers and caregivers, both from the software point of view and from the point of view of the equipment design;
O4: Reassess the impact/effects on mental health and psychological well-being of informal caregivers based on the use of these new experiences;
O5: Compare the results from the use of the pack in the experimental group with those in the control group.

Resources needed

This GP requires the acquisition of several “Withings Scanwatch” wearables. An Android or iOS smartphone is also needed to operate the mobile app in conjunction with the wearable as well as internet connection at home of the caregivers. At last, a regular web host is needed

Evidence of success

More than 20 home caregivers participated. The majority (~86%) has considered that the wearable and the new mobile app have helped them cope with stress and better monitor their loved ones while away.
Users found quite useful (77,5%) the feature to receive an automatic notification in case the platform detected any significant change in hearth rate, sleep, activity and oxygen.The Covid-19 asymptomatic monitoring feature was also praised as “good” (63%).

Potential for learning or transfer

This Good Practice translated into new findings regarding how technology and the use of wearables and mobile apps can ease the burden that home caregivers suffer. The main stakeholder can provide and license the code behind the mobile apps and platform, allowing for an easy transfer. Translations can be easily prepared and added to the platform, allowing other countries to implement and test this kind of solution.