ABSTRACT
Family caregivers of elders with dementia often face the challenging behaviors of nighttime agitation, sleep disturbances, and urinary incontinence. To date, no study has examined the interrelationships of these behaviors in community-dwelling persons. This single group, descriptive study employs wireless body sensors to objectively collect data on nighttime agitation, sleep, and urinary incontinence in patients with dementia in their homes over a 5- to 7-day period. The aims are to (1) examine the feasibility and acceptability of the use of body sensors in community-dwelling persons with dementia; (2) describe patterns of nocturnal agitation, sleep continuity and duration, and nighttime urinary incontinence; and (3) examine the relationships among nocturnal agitation, sleep continuity and duration, and nighttime urinary incontinence. Data collection is in early stages and is still in progress. Challenges and advantages from preliminary data collection are reported.
Subject(s)
Dementia/physiopathology , Monitoring, Ambulatory/methods , Psychomotor Agitation/physiopathology , Sleep/physiology , Urinary Incontinence/physiopathology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Monitoring, Ambulatory/instrumentationABSTRACT
Telehealth facilitates provision of healthcare services at distant sites using electronic communications. A pilot project utilizing telehealth was initiated in a long-term care community to assess the wounds of geriatric residents. Over a 1-year period, nine patients requiring a total of 21 visits were evaluated by an offsite University of Virginia Health System wound nurse practitioner via telecommunication. Traditionally, frail elders are seen in the local wound care clinic, necessitating often costly and physically strenuous transport. The technology in this program incorporated use of a videoconferencing device, television monitor, and a patient camera. Average round trip cost savings for transporting immobile residents was $650; hence, substantial cost containment was achieved. In addition, quality of care improved because residents were not required to leave their facility for the 3 to 4 hours required to travel to and from the clinic. Although no formal satisfaction surveys were administered, resident and family response to the service was favorable. With continued documentation of patient satisfaction and cost savings, this service eventually may be available to other long-term care facilities in the area.
