DIGITAL HEALTH, INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS, OLDER ADULTS

Caring near and far: A multi-province investigation of remote monitoring technologies connecting community-based older adults and their care team.

Research Summary

In-home remote monitoring (RM) technologies can link clients, family/friend caregivers, and health care providers with the goal of supporting older adults to age in place. The purpose of this study is to examine the use of remote monitoring (RM) technologies in the home as a means of supporting older adults to safely remain in their home and avoiding or delaying higher levels of care. This study will also evaluate the cost effectiveness of RM as part of a technology enabled model of home care focused on complex care for older adults and family / friend caregivers.

This research will take place within three provinces (NS, NB, ON) in Canada. The RM technologies to be implemented in this study include a selection of low complexity components (e.g., sensors, cameras) which are strategically located within the client’s place of residence. Remote monitoring system options include the ability to remind clients to take their medication and monitor medication use, assess movement within the home (e.g., falls, wandering), and assess eating patterns (e.g., cupboard, refrigerator use). A secured monitoring system provides “notifications” of atypical client behavior to family / friend caregivers and health care providers allowing the most appropriate member(s) of the health care team to respond in person or remotely to the needs of the client. The Multi-Province Innovation Community includes representation from each provinces’ regional health organizations, local / regional homecare agencies, technology industry partners (Care Link Advantage), clinicians, clients/caregivers, and researchers.

Principal Investigators: Lorie Donelle RN, PhD (Project Lead),

Co-Investigators: Sandra Regan RN, PhD. (Ontario), Dr. Emily Read RN, PhD (New Brunswick), Dr. Grace Warner PhD (Nova Scotia)

Industry Partners: Care Link Advantage
Funding: Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR) and external partner contributions.

References:

Weeks, L., Nesto, S., Rushton, H., Ledoux, K., Hiebert, B., Stevens, S., Donelle, L. (under review). How does passive remote monitoring technology affect outcomes for older adults, their family and friend caregivers, and the healthcare system? Gerontechnology.

Read, R., Woolsey, C., Weeks, L., Donelle, L. (In Press). Community-Dwelling Seniors Using Passive Remote Monitoring Technology: A Scoping Review. Canadian Journal on Aging.

Resources & Links

Team/Advisors

Dr. Lorie Donelle

Associate professor and research chair, Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University

Lorie Donelle was inspired to launch Health in All Data from her research across health literacy, equity, and digital health.

She is an Associate Professor at Western University in the Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing and a Scientist with the Lawson Health Research Institute in London Ontario and is an inaugural member of Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Nursing (FCAN). She holds an endowed research chair – the Arthur Labatt Family Chair in Nursing focused on digital health. Dr. Donelle’s research addresses health promotion specific to issues of health & digital health literacy(s), social justice, and digital health. Her research investigates technology-enabled models of healthcare and the relationships between health information technologies and client/clinician health practices. Dr. Donelle contributes to International and national advisory committees for health literacy and digital health.

Related Projects

‘REDI to Care’: Reimagining Systems and Services that Engage Older Adults in Equitable, Diverse, and Inclusive Care

The primary goal of this big idea initiative is to provide accessible care to individuals residing in LTC institutions and/or within the community. To accomplish this, we are proposing several concurrent and parallel project components.