Designing a Mobile Intervention for Alzheimer's and Other Dementias

Abstract

The number of elderly experiencing cognitive disorders or dementia including Alzheimer’s has been increasing worldwide. During COVID-19 pandemic, they are vulnerable not only to the coronavirus, but also to the social isolation with no family visits. The elderly are increasingly depressed, resisting care, refusing medications and showing signs of agitation. These behavioral disturbances are leading to an increased use of psychotropic medications and/or increased hospitalizations to already overloaded healthcare systems. To address this, we focus on a mobile intervention, named AlzhaTV, as a suite of mobile apps. The intervention, not requiring any technical interaction from the elderly, is available on both Android and iOS platforms. The mobile intervention has the potential to improve the quality of life and reduction in medications for the elderly. Our results show that multiple personalized and non-personalized videos can be transmitted over existing wireless networks. During the current and future pandemics and disasters, AlzhaTV can actively support the elderly.