Functionality, Usability Cited as Barriers to Adoption of Caregiver Digital Health Tools in AARP Report

A new AARP study estimates 45 million family caregivers will look after 117 million people by 2020, but functionality and usability of digital health tools designed to help caregivers were found wanting, reports MedCity News . Three studies conducted by HITLAB between May 2016 and January 2017 involved caregivers assessing care coordination tools, personal emergency response devices, and home care aide hiring tools. In terms of care coordination, one study determined poor product design meant the tools failed to sufficiently meet caregivers' coordination needs. The data that already had been recorded in a calendar or email was basically siloed and impeded simple sharing, with the device creating more work for caregivers because they had to repeatedly input the same information due to the lack of an autofill setting. Meanwhile, personal emergency response systems came up short because some caregivers wanted more control over who would be alerted under emergency circumstances, while another barrier was a low activity alert setting that made caregivers worry about false alarms. The evaluation of home health aide hiring services found most caregivers must see 11 to 25 home aides before they choose one, with in-person interviews deemed crucial. Caregivers in this segment noted increasing caregiver control of vetting, interviewing, hiring, and scheduling, supplemented by professional guidance to help them with decision-making, was critical to their peace of mind.