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Assessment of need and practice for assistive technology and telecare for people with dementia-The ATTILA (Assistive Technology and Telecare to maintain Independent Living At home for people with dementia) trial.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Forsyth, Kirsty 
Henderson, Catherine 
Davis, Lucy 
Singh Roy, Anusua 
Dunk, Barbara 

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to define current assistive technology and telecare (ATT) practice for people with dementia living at home. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled trial (N = 495) of ATT assessment and ATT installation intervention, compared with control (restricted ATT package). ATT assessment and installation data were collected. Qualitative work identified value networks delivering ATT, established an ATT assessment standard. RESULTS: ATT was delivered by public and not-for-profit telecare networks. ATT assessments showed 52% fidelity to the ATT assessment standard. Areas of assessment most frequently leading to identifying ATT need were daily activities (93%), memory (89%), and problem-solving (83%). ATT needs and recommendations were weakly correlated (τ = 0.242; P < .000), with ATT recommendations and installations moderately correlated (τ = -0.470; P < .000). Half (53%) of recommended technology was not installed. Safety concerns motivated 38% of installations. DISCUSSION: Assessment recommendations were routinely disregarded at the point of installation. ATT was commonly recommended for safety and seldom for supporting leisure.

Description

Keywords

ATTILA, Assessment of need, Assistive technology, Community-dwelling, Dementia, Telecare

Journal Title

Alzheimers Dement (N Y)

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2352-8737
2352-8737

Volume Title

5

Publisher

Wiley
Sponsorship
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (via King's College London) (PCDKBOC)
Funding for the trial came from the NIHR Health Technology Assessment program (HTA 10/50/02). Neither the funders nor the sponsor have been involved in the preparation or publication of this article. P.B. received financial support from TauRx Therapeutics. J.O.B. received financial support from TauRx, GE Healthcare, Avid/Lilly, and Eisai.