Providing and receiving support through a tailor-made mobile app: a qualitative study on experience of professionals and family caregivers to persons with dementia

Abstract

Abstract Background The ageing population and the rise of persons with dementia (PWD) living at home have increased the need for support by family caregivers (FC). Research suggests that most FCs are unprepared for the complex role of informal caregiving. The use of mobile applications (apps) provide a cost-effective and efficient opportunity for community-based social care professionals to provide tailor-made support to FCs. The literature indicates that there are limited mobile apps available to meet the needs of the FCs to PWD living at home. The aim of this study was to explore how social care professionals and FCs to PWD living at home experience providing and receiving support through a tailor-made mobile app named STAV. Methods A qualitative descriptive design was applied. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 11 community-based social care professionals and 19 FCs of PWD living at home. The data were analyzed inductively using thematic analysis. Results The social care professionals and the FCs’ experience of providing and receiving support through a mobile app was represented by the following themes: Accessibility to support – Bridging the gap, Engaging from a distance, and Limitations of the support. Conclusions This study highlights the need for FCs to PWD to receive support that is tailor-made to their needs as caregivers. The findings from this study can help community-based social care providers plan and organize long-distance support for FCs to PWD living at home. The findings further support the use of a mobile app as a complement to traditional means of support for FCs to PWD which can facilitate their knowledge, awareness, and self-care management.