TU Dublin projects use digital innovation to empower people with dementia this World Alzheimers Day
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Dr Dympna O’Sullivan; Academic Lead, Digital Futures Research Hub and her multidisciplinary research team have made impactful strides in dementia care through their Smart Self Care for Dementia and Co-Design for Dementia projects. This initiative, particularly relevant for World Alzheimer's Day 2024, has centred on designing assistive technologies aimed at enabling people with dementia to maintain independence and improve their quality of life.
The Smart Self Care for Dementia and Co-Design for Dementia projects are funded under the Research Ireland National Challenge Fund and the Research Ireland for Frontiers for the Future programme and are focused on developing a cutting-edge assistive technology toolkit that empowers people with dementia to manage their care autonomously. Dr. O’Sullivan’s team worked collaboratively with persons with dementia, their informal carers, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders to ensure the technology aligns with real-world needs. By engaging stakeholders at every stage, from conception to deployment, the project ensures that the technology is both user-friendly and impactful. Discussing the research project, Dympna said:
There is an acute need, which digital health technologies can potentially fulfil, to provide proactive support for persons living with dementia and their carers. However, there is limited involvement of persons with dementia in the design of technology that could be used to support their personal plans for independent living at home. Our premise is that persons with dementia should be at the centre of decision-making regarding care, with a shift towards active and empowered self-management facilitated by appropriately designed technology
Key Highlights of the project include:
- Co-designing Technology: Dr. O’Sullivan’s approach to co-designing assistive technology is inclusive, bringing together persons with dementia and their caregivers to tailor solutions that address their specific challenges. This not only enhances autonomy for users but fosters greater acceptance of technology in daily care routines.
- Field Trials: In summer 2023, field trials began to test the effectiveness of the technology in real-life settings. One key finding is that a person’s attitude towards technology—rather than age—is crucial in determining their willingness to use it.
- Policy Contributions: The team has also contributed to Ireland’s HSE Model of Care for Dementia, advocating for the integration of assistive technologies to support dementia care at home, thus reducing the need for long-term residential care.
The project has made a significant impact on people with dementia and their carers in Ireland. Those using the toolkit have gained access to integrated services that support self-management of their care, ultimately improving quality of life and reducing the need for hospitalisations. Given that hospitalisations for persons with dementia are associated with longer stays, higher risks of poor outcomes, and additional health complications, the toolkit’s ability to delay or reduce these occurrences is vital.
Furthermore, the project addresses the economic burden of dementia care in Ireland, where dementia costs an estimated €1.69 billion annually, with 43% of that attributed to long-term residential care. By keeping people with dementia at home and out of costly nursing homes (which can cost €1,500 per week), the Smart Self Care for Dementia project aligns with HSE policies that aim to prioritise home-based care.
Dr. O’Sullivan and her team’s outstanding work has been recognized through TU Dublin’s Multidisciplinary Research Team Award 2023, underlining their success in advancing dementia care. Moving forward, the team plans to integrate the toolkit with Electronic Health Records and HSE care planning systems to streamline communication between persons with dementia and healthcare providers. In addition, they are exploring partnerships with healthcare organisations and technology companies to ensure widespread adoption and integration of this technology into broader dementia care pathways.
This project exemplifies how digital health innovations can make a profound difference in the lives of individuals living with dementia and their families, aligning closely with the themes and goals of World Alzheimer's Day 2024.
Project Team
- Dr Dympna O Sullivan (TU Dublin, Principle Investigator)
- Dr Julie Doyle (DkIT, Co-Investigator)
- Dr Damon Berry (TU Dublin)
- Dr Michael Wilson (DkIT)
- Dr Orla Moran (DkIT)
- Dr Jonathan Turner (TU Dublin)
- Dr Harish Kambampati (TU Dublin)
- Ciaran Nugent (TU Dublin)
View project video.
Project webpage: www.smartdementiacare.ie.