My MESSAGE Improving Wayfinding and Reducing Challenging Behaviors in Persons with Dementia Through the Use of RFID Technology

In the proposed study we will develop and evaluate a product called My MESSAGE Multimedia Ecopsychosocial Support System for Alzheimer s within Geriatric Environments which will circumvent the limitations of traditional visual cues and also provide unprecedented flexibility and precision for assisting with wayfinding and reducing other challenging behaviors in PWD The target consumer for MM will be nursing homes assisted living facilities and adult day centers all of which serve PWD The central component of the system will be the MM Display System Monitors will be installed at carefully selected locations in locked Special Care Units and or other residential care facilities for PWD When a resident nears a monitor the MM Display System will through the use of Radio Frequency Identification RFID recognize that the resident is nearby retrieve information from a database and display a customized message image or video clip for that specific person Staff members will be able to create and deploy appropriate messages for each resident from any computer tablet or smartphone by accessing the MM Administration Portal Staff will also have access to the MM Visibility Test which will allow users to ensure that the message size is appropriate for the PWD Finally consumers will have access to the MM Training Module a minute interactive SCORM compliant course which explain how to use the MM Admin Portal discuss how to create appropriate messages for PWD and answer Frequently Asked Questions FAQs The Phase study will have the following Specific Aims develop Alpha Versions of the MM Display System Administration Portal Visibility Test and Training Module examine the Impact of the MM System on PWD and examine Staff Satisfaction with the MM System This Phase Project will set the groundwork for a Phase study in which we will create Beta Versions of all components of the MM System test the MM System with a larger number of sites and participants test the System in other settings including Adult Day Centers and Senior Living Apartments examine the effect of the product on PWD for a longer period of time and examine the use of face detection technology for persons who do not wear RFID tags Project Narrative An estimated million Americans are currently suffering from Alzheimer s disease AD besides affecting the person with the condition AD also presents a public health concern due to the significant cost required to care for persons with dementia PWD and to the mental and physical stress placed upon caregivers So there is an urgent need for products and programs that improve the quality of life of PWD and reduce challenging behaviors Through the development and evaluation of the My MESSAGE System which aims to improve wayfinding and reduce challenging behaviors in PWD by automatically presenting PWD with customized messages on displays within memory care facilities the proposed project will help meet this need