JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Informal caregivers of people living with dementia (PLwD) often experience high rates of caregiver burnout while providing care. Although there are many websites and mobile applications available to help caregivers, many do not utilize digital tools for assistance. The Olera platform was developed to be an easily adoptable web-based support tool, connecting caregivers with long-term services and supports, financial assistance, and educational resources. The platform was developed based on the Build-Measure-Learn framework with input through caregiver needs assessments and usability studies.

Objective:

This study aims to evaluate the informal caregivers’ of PLwD quantitative and qualitative feedback on the second iteration of the Olera platform. A primary objective was to assess caregivers' acceptance of this caregiving platform. Secondarily, qualitative methods were employed to explore: (1) the study cohort’s challenges in daily caregiving to determine if they reflect those of caregivers universally, (2) their experience with using the Olera platform, and (3) their attitudes toward integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in caregiver services for future platform development.

Methods:

Caregivers were recruited through various sources and screened for eligibility through an initial survey. Participants then engaged with the Olera platform for four weeks and completed a survey with an adapted technology acceptance survey (TAS) and qualitative open-ended questions at the end of the testing period. TAS responses were summarized with descriptive statistics, while analyses of variance, t-tests, and linear regressions were used to compare the differences in the overall TAS scores by caregiver characteristics in the bivariate level. Qualitative feedback data on the platform's usefulness was analyzed via a thematic analysis framework approach.

Results:

Sixty-five caregivers in the United States with an average age of 59.9 years old completed the study. The majority were female (95.3%), White (68.2%), and the adult child of their care recipient (64.6%). The Olera platform evaluation showed a high acceptance rate, with each TAS item scoring above 5.0 and an overall TAS score of 5.83 (SD 0.85) out of 7 total points. Statistically significant differences in platform use frequency indicated greater technology acceptance among more frequent users (F(3,61)= 7.88, p< .001). Thematic analyses elicited the caregiving challenges, evaluation of the Olera platform, and feedback on AI-assisted support.

Conclusions:

The Olera platform is an example of a beneficial web-based tool, though key features were requested to be included in the next iteration. Additionally, data supported prior findings regarding informal caregiver challenges and the insufficiency of conventional support mechanisms, indicating a need for more innovative digital solutions. Future research and development efforts using the Build-Measure-Learn approach are necessary to further iterate the Olera platform’s key features, enhance the tool, and involve more informal caregivers in its improvements, and serve as a model for customizable, person-centered online care support.