Factors affecting the use of a telephone-based intervention for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

We investigated the usefulness of a computer-mediated interactive voice response (IVR) system integrated with voicemail to help family caregivers manage disruptive behaviours in people with Alzheimer's disease. The randomization procedure resulted in 49 caregivers being assigned to the intervention group and 51 to the control group. Using their ordinary telephone, the caregivers were linked to the four components of the IVR system: monitoring and counselling, an in-home support group, 'ask the expert', and a respite conversation. During an 18-month study, total system usage amounted to 55 min per user (SD 78, range 1-318). Half the participants used the system for at least 22 min, and 25% for at least 70 min. Participants made between one and 45 calls over the study period, averaging 11 calls (SD 12). Approximately half of the intervention group used the system regularly for two or more months. These 'adopters' were significantly older, more highly educated and reported a greater sense of management of the situation than 'non-adopters'. Adopters were much more likely than non-adopters to have been rated as highly proficient by the trainer following the technology training session. The IVR approach appealed to a subset of users. However, the overall preference was for human interaction.