Exploring Family Caregivers’ Likelihood of Adopting a Novel App That Connects Care Teams of Persons Living With Dementia: A Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

Family caregivers of persons living with dementia (PLWD) are often expected to coordinate and manage all aspects of a loved one’s day-to-day care across settings with limited modern, user-friendly resources to support them. We developed CareMOBI, a mHealth app prototype that aims to support improved care coordination and communication between care team members. A concurrent mixed-methods triangulation design was used to assess the acceptability and likelihood of adopting CareMOBI among family caregivers of PLWD. Caregivers ( n = 13) completed the Technology Acceptance Model questionnaire (quantitative) and semi-structured interviews (qualitative). Integration occurred using the four themes of the Technology Acceptance Model. There was strong agreement among family caregivers that CareMOBI had a high perceived value for care ( M = 6.23/7), was easy to use ( M = 6.20/7), and enhanced current workflows ( M = 5.86/7). However, training in utilizing mHealth apps and the need for a Spanish-language version were cited as necessary enhancements to increase the widespread adoption of CareMOBI.