COMPAs—An app designed to support communication between persons living with dementia in long‐term care and their caregivers. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dube, Catherine; Delacourt, Barbara; Masson‐Trottier, Michele; Ansaldo, Ana‐Inès
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 17(2021)Supplement 7
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer Disease -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Démence; Maladie d'Alzheimer; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.83
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.050917
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-5260

Abstract

Abstract: Background: People with dementia experience autonomy loss, and require caregiver support on a daily basis. Dementia is also characterized by progressive communication disorders, leading to isolation in both persons with dementia and caregivers. Caregivers also experience stress and increasing burden which makes them particularly susceptible to burnout. As a whole, these factors hamper quality of life in both members of the dyad. The present study examines the efficacy of COMPAs, an App designed on principles of person‐centered and emotional communication, with the purpose of improving well‐being in persons with dementia and their caregivers, including the extreme isolation conditions imposed by COVID‐19. Method: In this implementation study on COMPAs, caregivers in two long‐term care facilities were trained to use COMPAs and taught strategies to improve communication with persons with dementia. Measures were taken before and after 8 weeks of interventions with COMPAs. Qualitative analyses on semi‐structured interviews and quantitative analysis on questionnaires were completed. Results: Interventions with COMPAs improved the quality of communication and quality of life within the dyad. They also reduced caregiver burden and increased their feeling of personal accomplishment. Conclusion: COMPAs contributes to the well‐being of persons with dementia and their caregivers, thanks to its focus on emotional communication. It represents a valid tool to improve person‐centered communication in long‐term care facilities, including extreme isolation contexts.