Technologies to address Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia care
Y. Sun, W. Haley, T. Allen, H. Yadav, D. Dobbs, W. Kearns
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AbstractThe growing of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (AD/ADRD) present a formidable challenge to global healthcare systems. By 2030, the U.S. Census Bureau projects 21% of the U.S. population will be over 65. According to the United Nations, by 2050, half of the world’s population will reside in countries where 20% are over 65. This demographic shift heralds a significant increase in the prevalence of ADRD, with current figures standing at approximately 55 million people worldwide, expected to rise to about 153 million by 2050. In the U.S. over 6.2 million adults 65 and older live with ADRD, surging 47% to around 13.8 million by 2060. Escalating cases of ADRD intensify the demand for caregivers, leading to shortages that have become a national crisis. In early-stage dementia, people have difficulty managing finances, preparing meals, shopping, and arranging healthcare. With advanced dementia, the ability to manage basic ADLs such as bathing, dressing, feeding, and bowel and bladder continence are often lost. Most caregivers for people with ADRD are informal (unpaid) caregivers, most often spouses and adult children. The shortage will reach 355,000 by 2040, with Florida home to nearly 600,000 older adults living with ADRD. The ramifications are profound, caring for individuals with ADRD is particularly complex due to cognitive and behavioral symptoms, including memory loss, communication difficulties, aggression, and wandering. These symptoms elevate risk of accidents and infections leading to social isolation and diminished quality of life. At USF, as part of the effort to establish the Center for Innovation, Technology, and Aging (CITA) with a mission to transform care for individuals with ADRD and other vulnerable older adults, we are developing AI and robotics technology as direct applications of gerontechnologies.Keywords: technology and aging
Y. Sun, W. Haley, T. Allen, H. Yadav, D. Dobbs, W. Kearns (2024). Technologies to address Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia care. Gerontechnology, 23(2), 1-1
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2024.23.s.1114.opp