What is the Goal of the All About Me Project?
All About Me aims to enable persons living with dementia who live in long-term care to improve relationships with one another and with staff, while assisting staff with providing person-centered care. In so doing, it will help improve quality of life and reduce challenging behaviors in persons with dementia while also reducing caregiver burden and stress, which leads to higher quality care for persons with dementia.
How Will All About Me Help?
All About Me will help in two ways. First, it will enable residents and their family members to quickly and easily provide information to staff regarding their background, care preferences, hobbies, interests, food preferences and more. This will allow staff to better serve residents. Secondly, it will help build community by enabling residents to play a game together that aims to build relationships, find common interests, and have fun.
How Long Would My Loved One Participate in All About Me? And What Would Be Involved?
Your loved one would participate in the SAFE at Home Project for about 2 months. In Month 1, a researcher will interview your loved one to get to know him/her and would play the initial game that collects the information about their background and interests. They can play this game either with you or with community or research staff, based on your preferences. In Month 2, your loved one will take part in activity sessions at their community using evidence-based techniques to increase engagement, foster relationships, and encourage social interaction. For additional details about the project, see the consent form by going to the ENROLL NOW page.
Can I See Examples of the Activities That Will be Used During This Project?
Sure! Go to the Activities page of this website by CLICKING HERE to see the types of activities that will be used during the activity sessions.
Is Compensation Provided?
Older adults who participate in the study can receive up to $50 for participating in the All About Me Study. Participants will be paid $25 if/when they enroll in the study and an additional $25 if/when they complete the final study interview. Please note that compensation will be provided in the form of gift cards.
What If My Loved One Does Not Have a Computer or Tablet?
We will provide your loved one with a tablet free of charge that he/she can use to play the initial game. During the second part of the study all equipment will be provided by your loved one's community.
What If My Loved One Does Not Know How to Use a Tablet / Computer?
There is no need to worry! Your loved one does NOT need to know how to use a tablet / computer to participate in this project. He/she will simply work with you or a member of his/her community or a research team member when using the tablet.
Who Else Will Participate?
If your loved one lives in the Cleveland, Ohio area, he/she will be participating with other older adults in the Cleveland area. If your loved one lives in the Boston, Massachusetts area, he/she will be participating with other older adults in the Boston area. If your loved one lives in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, he/she will be participating with other older adults in the Pittsburgh area.
What If My Loved One Does Not Have Internet Access at Home?
If your loved one does not have internet access at home, we will be able to provide a tablet with built in cellular connection (4G/LTE or 5G). So, as long as there is cell coverage in your loved one's area (which we will check during the first visit), he/she will be able to participate!