- Email: [email protected]
THE DANISH ABC DEMENTIA: NEW E-LEARNING FOR PROFESSIONAL CAREGIVERS
P180
Oral Sessions: O2-08: Dementia Care Practice: E-Interventions for Training and Care
wheel: Guidelines for observing changes in the physical condition in people with dementia. E.g. loss of appetite, change in mood or change in appearance can be indicators of physical illness or an indication that more help is needed. Quiz: The user can test his knowledge about physical symptoms in people with dementia. Tips: Advice on communicating with the person with dementia and the relatives/caregivers. Glossary: Explanation of terms related to the field of dementia. We found a need in Denmark for educational materials targeting dementia nurses, social and health care assistants and other healthcare professionals. Many professional care workers in Denmark already use a PDA or a smartphone in their daily work for administrative registration of services, and some hospitals and nursing homes still do not offer WIFI. Format An app - that also works offline - offers easy access and flexibility, which is much needed in the training and educa-
tion of professional dementia care workers. Choosing the app format, we offer a new way of spreading knowledge and providing training tailored to the needs of our target groups. The app format supports the Danish Dementia Research Centre’s educational seminars and conferences, our website and e-learning as a mean of spreading knowledge about dementia. The app "About Dementia" was released in May 2012 and has been downloaded 13.400 times as of January 2014. In comparison approximately 5.000 people attended a seminar or a conference arranged by the Danish Dementia Research Centre in the same time period. The app has received positive feedback in Google Play and AppStore, but more qualitative evaluation is needed in order to validate the usefullness of the app. O2-08-02
NATIONAL GUIDELINES AND IMPLEMENTATION: SWEDISH DEMENTIA CENTRE PRESENTS THE WEB-BASED EDUCATIONS DEMENTIA ABC AND DEMENTIA ABC PLUS
Gunilla Nordberg, Wilhelmina Hoffman, Swedish Dementia Centre, Stockholm, Sweden. Contact e-mail: [email protected] Project Description: The knowledge-base of dementia is under intense development at the same time as the care of persons with dementia face both opportunities and challenges. The Swedish Dementia Centre (SDC), established in February 2008, is a non-profit foundation and the Swedish national centre for excellence in dementia care. SDC actively promotes future development in care of persons with dementia - towards a more dementia friendly society. The commission of SDC is to: Collect, structure and disseminate knowledge about dementia and dementia care Compile evaluations and research results; develop more practically orientated knowledge; facilitate translation of research and implementation of new knowledge into nursing and care, interventions and social policy; be a link between research, practice and decision makers; and be the hub of a national network for research and development units. Dementia ABC is a web-based education based on the Swedish national guidelines for dementia care, published 2010 by the National Board of Health and Welfare. The education was created by SDC to promote implementation of these guidelines. It also provides knowledge regarding The Swedish Dementia Registry, SveDem, a national quality registry on dementia disorders and the register for behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD). The education is free of charge and accessible for everyone. After fulfilling the course an individually numbered diploma is created when the participant successfully passes the test. Dementia ABC has more than 76000 registered users. New users are registered weekly. Due to the success with Dementia ABC, SDC was given a new assignment by the government to create and produce six new web-based educations - Dementia ABC plus. The aim is to follow the person from early stages until end of life. The six new free of charge educations are tailor made for each specific level; Primary Health Care, Needs Assessors, Home-Help Services, Residential Settings, Hospitals and Relatives. Like Dementia ABC, they are continuously followed up regarding statistics on SDC’s homepage. O2-08-03
THE DANISH ABC DEMENTIA: NEW E-LEARNING FOR PROFESSIONAL CAREGIVERS
Karen Tannebæk1, Peter Hultberg2, Elsebeth Refsgaard3, Bente Hyldegaard Hansen4, Gunhild Waldemar5, 1The Danish Dementia Research Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark, Denmark; 2Region Hovedstaden, Hellerup, Denmark; 3The Danish Dementia Research Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark; 4Region Hovedstaden, Hellrup, Denmark; 5Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. Contact e-mail: [email protected] Project Description: The Danish ABC Dementia; new e-learning close knit to practice for professional caregivers. Background The Danish Dementia Research Centre has chosen to focus on the development of electronic forms of dissemination and learning materials. By using electronic media, we offer a new and different way to disseminate knowledge and provide training. We found that educational materials targeted dementia nurses, social and health
Oral Sessions: O2-08: Dementia Care Practice: E-Interventions for Training and Care
assistants and other health care professionals are much needed. In particular, educational materials which could provide skills and tools, readily applicable for professional carers in their daily work. ABC Dementia was developed as a web-based basic course for nursing and care staff. It consists of 10 modules with different themes: types of dementia, brain function, other conditions with similar symptoms, challenging behavior, care, communication, family caregivers, environmental issues, activities and legal issues. It offers new learning methods, such as letting the user visit a virtual nursing home with residents with different needs. In this environment the user can practice, reflect and get factual knowledge. Using video cases, the user can practice the best way of communicating. ABC Dementia translate evidence-based knowledge to best practice.It is practice-orientated and very user-friendly for the target groups, and it contains a variety of text, assignments, film clips, cases, virtual environments. ABC Dementia was launched in May 2013, it will regularly be supplemented with more modules and completed mid- 2014. Primo 2014 we had about 3000 user across the country. The electronic media offers flexibility as it can be accessed when needed. It motivates a many professional care staff members to learn more about dementia, and it is a good add-on to other ways of spreading knowledge and initiating the dialogue, which is needed in order to provide good care for people with dementia. O2-08-04
IPAD HAPPY GAMES FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA AS PLEASANT AND MEANINGFUL ACTIVITY
Hanny Groenewoud1, Yvonne Schikhof1, Arlene J. Astell2, Marleen Goumans1, Jacomine de Lange1, 1Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam, Netherlands; 2University of Sheffield, Whitby, Ontario, Canada. Contact e-mail: [email protected] Project Description: Pleasant and meaningful activities, including individual activities for clients who wish to do something for themselves, may enhance quality of life of people with dementia. As touch-screen devices are relatively simple to operate and iPads can be used anywhere, we explored the impact of one-player iPad happy games on the well-being and behaviour of people with dementia. Fifty-nine clients with dementia (visiting a day-care centre for people with dementia or living at dementia special care units in the city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands) were invited to play a happy game at three different dates, resulting in a total of 177 observation sessions. The games included ten existing iPad games and three prototypes that had been especially designed for people with dementia. The client’s well-being (including mood and engagement) and behaviour (including activity and interaction) were assessed using structured direct observation by trained students. Playing time was registered too. After having finished playing, clients were asked for their opinion about the game. The study has been deemed exempt from review by the Medical Ethics Board of University Medical Center Rotterdam. Of all 177 initiatives to start a play, 162 resulted in playing a happy game. The total playing time varied between 2-30 minutes (set as maximum playing time). The effect on the client’s mood was variable, but engagement often increased. Happy gaming sometimes was experienced as challenging (getting as high scores as possible), might enlarge the clients’ self-esteem and identity or make them feel connected, or was just appreciated as something to do. Not all reactions, however, were positive: the game did not fit the clients’ preferences or capabilities; the game was considered too childish, or too difficult, and might lower the client’s self-esteem. Rather often, clients had difficulty operating the touch screen properly. In conclusion, some optimism is warranted that one-player happy gaming can be a pleasant and meaningful activity that should be offered in dementia care. However, a wider range of games should be available, addressing the preferences and capabilities of the individual client. In addition, touch screen technology and happy gaming should be made more dementia-friendly. O2-08-05
THE DIGITAL ALZHEIMER CENTER: A NEXT STEP TOWARD INNOVATIVE DEMENTIA CARE
Afina Willemina Lemstra, Bart Hattink, Sietske Sikkes, Ellen Oostra, Philip Scheltens, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Contact e-mail: [email protected]
P181
Project Description: To date, there is no cure for AD or any of the other dementia syndromes. Providing and organizing good care is one of the most important interventions affecting quality of life of patients and their caregivers. E-health technologies provide new opportunities to improve the efficiency and quality of current health practice. Here we present a unique and innovative web-based portal, the Digital Alzheimer Center (DAC), developed at the Alzheimer Center of the VU University Medical Center (VUmc). The main goals for the set-up of this portal were made in close cooperation with patients and caregivers who participated throughout the process. The lay-out and architecture of this portal were designed to fit the capabilities of patients with dementia. The DAC consists of three different components: 1)Information: the DAC offers reliable, up-to-date information on all aspects of dementia. It contains details on different types of dementia, information regarding practical and legal matters, and offers a separate area with support for caregivers. The information is enriched with animations and attractive graphics. 2)Peer to peer communication: in the online community users have access to a forum where they can exchange information with other patients, caregivers and health care professionals. There is a chatroom and option for more private contact with other users. Upcoming events and news from both the Alzheimer Center and the (inter)national Alzheimer community are communicated here. 3)Access to medical data: in a separate, secured section users can access their registration details, view their appointments and medical correspondence, and submit e-consults to health care professionals. Soon, the opportunity to consult the physician from their own homes through video connection will become available. The portal was launched in January 2012, has currently over a 1000 registered users and receives over 200 monthly visits. Training and hands-on practice are offered by tri-monthly, group-based workshops. The DAC shows that innovative internet-based applications are feasible in dementia-care. Various features of the DAC and strategies for development of online portals for patients with dementia will be presented.
O2-08-06
THE FUTURE OF CARE: THE DIGITAL ALZHEIMER CENTER—EVALUATION OF AN ONLINE PORTAL FOR PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR INFORMAL CAREGIVERS
Bart Hattink, Sietske Sikkes, Ellen Oostra, Philip Scheltens, RoseMarie Droes, Evelien Lemstra, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Contact e-mail: [email protected] Project Description: The Alzheimer Center of the VU University Medical Center developed a unique online patient portal, the Digital Alzheimer Center (DAC). This portal, designed in cooperation with end-users, provides comprehensive information on dementia and coping, a peer-topeer community and services to enhance communication between healthcare professionals and patients. The DAC was launched in January 2012 and has issued over 1000 accounts since then. In the current study, we aim to evaluate usability and added value of the DAC. This study was performed using mixed methods: 1) an online survey among all currently registered accounts (n¼917) on usability and future development. 2) observations in a selection of users of performance on specific tasks focusing on speed, number and type of mistakes and way of navigating. 3) semistructured interviews from patients with dementia, caregivers and professionals with in-depth questions about use and value of the portal. The online survey was completed by 335 participants (36,5%). Fifty-one percent indicated they actively used the portal. The majority found the portal easy to manage (82% of patients and 90% of caregivers) and useful (66% of patients and 78% of caregivers). The DAC was also considered helpful for understanding dementia (62% in both patients and caregivers). The most valued functionalities were general information on dementia; overview of upcoming appointments and information about the Alzheimer Center. Six participants (3 patients with mild dementia, 3 informal caregivers) were observed at home while using the DAC. Most errors were made in basic internet-skills in both groups (eg. links & browsers). Time for completing the tasks ranged from 24 to 51 minutes in patients and 9 to
Oral Sessions: O2-08: Dementia Care Practice: E-Interventions for Training and Care
wheel: Guidelines for observing changes in the physical condition in people with dementia. E.g. loss of appetite, change in mood or change in appearance can be indicators of physical illness or an indication that more help is needed. Quiz: The user can test his knowledge about physical symptoms in people with dementia. Tips: Advice on communicating with the person with dementia and the relatives/caregivers. Glossary: Explanation of terms related to the field of dementia. We found a need in Denmark for educational materials targeting dementia nurses, social and health care assistants and other healthcare professionals. Many professional care workers in Denmark already use a PDA or a smartphone in their daily work for administrative registration of services, and some hospitals and nursing homes still do not offer WIFI. Format An app - that also works offline - offers easy access and flexibility, which is much needed in the training and educa-
tion of professional dementia care workers. Choosing the app format, we offer a new way of spreading knowledge and providing training tailored to the needs of our target groups. The app format supports the Danish Dementia Research Centre’s educational seminars and conferences, our website and e-learning as a mean of spreading knowledge about dementia. The app "About Dementia" was released in May 2012 and has been downloaded 13.400 times as of January 2014. In comparison approximately 5.000 people attended a seminar or a conference arranged by the Danish Dementia Research Centre in the same time period. The app has received positive feedback in Google Play and AppStore, but more qualitative evaluation is needed in order to validate the usefullness of the app. O2-08-02
NATIONAL GUIDELINES AND IMPLEMENTATION: SWEDISH DEMENTIA CENTRE PRESENTS THE WEB-BASED EDUCATIONS DEMENTIA ABC AND DEMENTIA ABC PLUS
Gunilla Nordberg, Wilhelmina Hoffman, Swedish Dementia Centre, Stockholm, Sweden. Contact e-mail: [email protected] Project Description: The knowledge-base of dementia is under intense development at the same time as the care of persons with dementia face both opportunities and challenges. The Swedish Dementia Centre (SDC), established in February 2008, is a non-profit foundation and the Swedish national centre for excellence in dementia care. SDC actively promotes future development in care of persons with dementia - towards a more dementia friendly society. The commission of SDC is to: Collect, structure and disseminate knowledge about dementia and dementia care Compile evaluations and research results; develop more practically orientated knowledge; facilitate translation of research and implementation of new knowledge into nursing and care, interventions and social policy; be a link between research, practice and decision makers; and be the hub of a national network for research and development units. Dementia ABC is a web-based education based on the Swedish national guidelines for dementia care, published 2010 by the National Board of Health and Welfare. The education was created by SDC to promote implementation of these guidelines. It also provides knowledge regarding The Swedish Dementia Registry, SveDem, a national quality registry on dementia disorders and the register for behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD). The education is free of charge and accessible for everyone. After fulfilling the course an individually numbered diploma is created when the participant successfully passes the test. Dementia ABC has more than 76000 registered users. New users are registered weekly. Due to the success with Dementia ABC, SDC was given a new assignment by the government to create and produce six new web-based educations - Dementia ABC plus. The aim is to follow the person from early stages until end of life. The six new free of charge educations are tailor made for each specific level; Primary Health Care, Needs Assessors, Home-Help Services, Residential Settings, Hospitals and Relatives. Like Dementia ABC, they are continuously followed up regarding statistics on SDC’s homepage. O2-08-03
THE DANISH ABC DEMENTIA: NEW E-LEARNING FOR PROFESSIONAL CAREGIVERS
Karen Tannebæk1, Peter Hultberg2, Elsebeth Refsgaard3, Bente Hyldegaard Hansen4, Gunhild Waldemar5, 1The Danish Dementia Research Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark, Denmark; 2Region Hovedstaden, Hellerup, Denmark; 3The Danish Dementia Research Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark; 4Region Hovedstaden, Hellrup, Denmark; 5Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. Contact e-mail: [email protected] Project Description: The Danish ABC Dementia; new e-learning close knit to practice for professional caregivers. Background The Danish Dementia Research Centre has chosen to focus on the development of electronic forms of dissemination and learning materials. By using electronic media, we offer a new and different way to disseminate knowledge and provide training. We found that educational materials targeted dementia nurses, social and health
Oral Sessions: O2-08: Dementia Care Practice: E-Interventions for Training and Care
assistants and other health care professionals are much needed. In particular, educational materials which could provide skills and tools, readily applicable for professional carers in their daily work. ABC Dementia was developed as a web-based basic course for nursing and care staff. It consists of 10 modules with different themes: types of dementia, brain function, other conditions with similar symptoms, challenging behavior, care, communication, family caregivers, environmental issues, activities and legal issues. It offers new learning methods, such as letting the user visit a virtual nursing home with residents with different needs. In this environment the user can practice, reflect and get factual knowledge. Using video cases, the user can practice the best way of communicating. ABC Dementia translate evidence-based knowledge to best practice.It is practice-orientated and very user-friendly for the target groups, and it contains a variety of text, assignments, film clips, cases, virtual environments. ABC Dementia was launched in May 2013, it will regularly be supplemented with more modules and completed mid- 2014. Primo 2014 we had about 3000 user across the country. The electronic media offers flexibility as it can be accessed when needed. It motivates a many professional care staff members to learn more about dementia, and it is a good add-on to other ways of spreading knowledge and initiating the dialogue, which is needed in order to provide good care for people with dementia. O2-08-04
IPAD HAPPY GAMES FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA AS PLEASANT AND MEANINGFUL ACTIVITY
Hanny Groenewoud1, Yvonne Schikhof1, Arlene J. Astell2, Marleen Goumans1, Jacomine de Lange1, 1Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam, Netherlands; 2University of Sheffield, Whitby, Ontario, Canada. Contact e-mail: [email protected] Project Description: Pleasant and meaningful activities, including individual activities for clients who wish to do something for themselves, may enhance quality of life of people with dementia. As touch-screen devices are relatively simple to operate and iPads can be used anywhere, we explored the impact of one-player iPad happy games on the well-being and behaviour of people with dementia. Fifty-nine clients with dementia (visiting a day-care centre for people with dementia or living at dementia special care units in the city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands) were invited to play a happy game at three different dates, resulting in a total of 177 observation sessions. The games included ten existing iPad games and three prototypes that had been especially designed for people with dementia. The client’s well-being (including mood and engagement) and behaviour (including activity and interaction) were assessed using structured direct observation by trained students. Playing time was registered too. After having finished playing, clients were asked for their opinion about the game. The study has been deemed exempt from review by the Medical Ethics Board of University Medical Center Rotterdam. Of all 177 initiatives to start a play, 162 resulted in playing a happy game. The total playing time varied between 2-30 minutes (set as maximum playing time). The effect on the client’s mood was variable, but engagement often increased. Happy gaming sometimes was experienced as challenging (getting as high scores as possible), might enlarge the clients’ self-esteem and identity or make them feel connected, or was just appreciated as something to do. Not all reactions, however, were positive: the game did not fit the clients’ preferences or capabilities; the game was considered too childish, or too difficult, and might lower the client’s self-esteem. Rather often, clients had difficulty operating the touch screen properly. In conclusion, some optimism is warranted that one-player happy gaming can be a pleasant and meaningful activity that should be offered in dementia care. However, a wider range of games should be available, addressing the preferences and capabilities of the individual client. In addition, touch screen technology and happy gaming should be made more dementia-friendly. O2-08-05
THE DIGITAL ALZHEIMER CENTER: A NEXT STEP TOWARD INNOVATIVE DEMENTIA CARE
Afina Willemina Lemstra, Bart Hattink, Sietske Sikkes, Ellen Oostra, Philip Scheltens, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Contact e-mail: [email protected]
P181
Project Description: To date, there is no cure for AD or any of the other dementia syndromes. Providing and organizing good care is one of the most important interventions affecting quality of life of patients and their caregivers. E-health technologies provide new opportunities to improve the efficiency and quality of current health practice. Here we present a unique and innovative web-based portal, the Digital Alzheimer Center (DAC), developed at the Alzheimer Center of the VU University Medical Center (VUmc). The main goals for the set-up of this portal were made in close cooperation with patients and caregivers who participated throughout the process. The lay-out and architecture of this portal were designed to fit the capabilities of patients with dementia. The DAC consists of three different components: 1)Information: the DAC offers reliable, up-to-date information on all aspects of dementia. It contains details on different types of dementia, information regarding practical and legal matters, and offers a separate area with support for caregivers. The information is enriched with animations and attractive graphics. 2)Peer to peer communication: in the online community users have access to a forum where they can exchange information with other patients, caregivers and health care professionals. There is a chatroom and option for more private contact with other users. Upcoming events and news from both the Alzheimer Center and the (inter)national Alzheimer community are communicated here. 3)Access to medical data: in a separate, secured section users can access their registration details, view their appointments and medical correspondence, and submit e-consults to health care professionals. Soon, the opportunity to consult the physician from their own homes through video connection will become available. The portal was launched in January 2012, has currently over a 1000 registered users and receives over 200 monthly visits. Training and hands-on practice are offered by tri-monthly, group-based workshops. The DAC shows that innovative internet-based applications are feasible in dementia-care. Various features of the DAC and strategies for development of online portals for patients with dementia will be presented.
O2-08-06
THE FUTURE OF CARE: THE DIGITAL ALZHEIMER CENTER—EVALUATION OF AN ONLINE PORTAL FOR PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR INFORMAL CAREGIVERS
Bart Hattink, Sietske Sikkes, Ellen Oostra, Philip Scheltens, RoseMarie Droes, Evelien Lemstra, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Contact e-mail: [email protected] Project Description: The Alzheimer Center of the VU University Medical Center developed a unique online patient portal, the Digital Alzheimer Center (DAC). This portal, designed in cooperation with end-users, provides comprehensive information on dementia and coping, a peer-topeer community and services to enhance communication between healthcare professionals and patients. The DAC was launched in January 2012 and has issued over 1000 accounts since then. In the current study, we aim to evaluate usability and added value of the DAC. This study was performed using mixed methods: 1) an online survey among all currently registered accounts (n¼917) on usability and future development. 2) observations in a selection of users of performance on specific tasks focusing on speed, number and type of mistakes and way of navigating. 3) semistructured interviews from patients with dementia, caregivers and professionals with in-depth questions about use and value of the portal. The online survey was completed by 335 participants (36,5%). Fifty-one percent indicated they actively used the portal. The majority found the portal easy to manage (82% of patients and 90% of caregivers) and useful (66% of patients and 78% of caregivers). The DAC was also considered helpful for understanding dementia (62% in both patients and caregivers). The most valued functionalities were general information on dementia; overview of upcoming appointments and information about the Alzheimer Center. Six participants (3 patients with mild dementia, 3 informal caregivers) were observed at home while using the DAC. Most errors were made in basic internet-skills in both groups (eg. links & browsers). Time for completing the tasks ranged from 24 to 51 minutes in patients and 9 to