The University of Miamis Center on Aging has received a $49,993 grant from AT&T to help fund a unique program for dementia caregivers. The program uses a videophone system to assist family caregivers of dementia patients stay connected and informed. It was developed by Sara Czaja, Ph.D., co-director of the Center on Aging, and Sankaran Nair M.S. of the Center on Aging and is already operational.
The AT&T grant was announced earlier this year at a news conference, by Marshall Criser, III, president of AT&T Florida. Carl Eisdorfer, M.D., Ph.D., the director of the Center on Aging, was also present, along with Dr. Czaja. The system, which is the first of its kind in the nation, uses a CISCO video phone linked via a DSL line to a central computer at the University of Miami. The system connects family caregivers with educators and counselors, helping them avoid depression and stay informed. Caregivers can also participate in support groups with other caregivers and access community resources. Dr. Czaja, who is a national leader in the field of technology and caregiving, explains that there are approximately 9 million U.S. adults who provide care to someone suffering from dementia. “Were working hard to develop innovative programs to help family members care for their relatives with Alzheimers disease,” Dr. Czaja said. “The trend now is to keep patients in their homes, instead of sending them to long-term care facilities.” AT&Ts grant to the Center on Aging could be renewed after one year, according to Criser. “With the coming of age of the baby boomers, innovative uses of technology to lessen the strain on caregivers will increasingly become more critical in the care of loved ones,” Criser said. “AT&Ts support of Dr. Czajas study will help identify meaningful tools to improve the quality of life for caregivers and provide a positive result to the people in their care.”
