Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Use of Information and Communication Technology Among Informal Caregivers

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Informal Caregivers: From Hidden Heroes to Integral Part of Care

  • 361 Accesses

Abstract

Information and communication technology (ICT) has emerged as a promising solution in the support of caregivers of chronically ill patients. There is evidence that technology-based interventions can improve outcomes among patients and can reduce burden and emotional strain among informal caregivers. The aim of this chapter is to explore through a scoping review and other studies the use of ICT solutions for patients living in the community under the care of their family. More specifically, the discussion will focus on the available literature of the health-related internet use made by informal caregivers of patients with dementia, older people with disabilities or chronic diseases concentrating on the type of use those informal caregivers make, and the characteristics that may influence this use. The results showed the importance of internet use, predictors of the use such as age, relationship with the patient, education, socioeconomic position, and other characteristics. Informal caregivers usually search online for dementia information and services, and they try to communicate with other informal caregivers or health professionals. However, although eHealth literacy skills and competencies may enable people to influence their own health and the health of those under their care and attention, the term was not reported neither as a theory or as survey concept.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Alzheimer’s Association (2021) Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimer’s and dementia, vol 17. Wiley

    Google Scholar 

  2. Lucero RJ, Jaime-Lara R, Cortes YI, Kearney J, Granja M, Suero-Tejeda N et al (2018) Hispanic dementia family caregiver’s knowledge, experience, and awareness of self-management: foundations for health information technology interventions. Hispanic Health Care Int 154041531881922. https://doi.org/10.1177/1540415318819220

  3. Chiao C, Wu H, Hsiao C, Hsiao C-Y (2015) Caregiver burden for informal caregivers of patients with dementia: a systematic review (110):340–350

    Google Scholar 

  4. Farina N, Page TE, Daley S, Brown A, Bowling A, Basset T et al (2017) Factors associated with the quality of life of family carers of people with dementia: a systematic review. Alzheimer’s Dementia 13(5):572–581. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2017-09842-001&site=eds-live

  5. Huang S-S (2022) Depression among caregivers of patients with dementia: associative factors and management approaches. World J Psychiatry 12(1):59–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Gilhooly KJ, Gilhooly MLM, Sullivan MP, McIntyre A, Wilson L, Harding E et al (2016) A meta-review of stress, coping and interventions in dementia and dementia caregiving. BMC Geriatr 16:106

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Feast A, Orrell M, Charlesworth G, Melunsky N, Poland F, Moniz-Cook E (2016) Behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia and the challenges for family carers: systematic review. Br J Psychiatry 208(5):429–434

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Bratches RWR, Scudder PN, Barr PJ (2021) Supporting communication of visit information to informal caregivers: a systematic review. PLoS One 16

    Google Scholar 

  9. Sanders D, Scott P (2020) Literature review: technological interventions and their impact on quality of life for people living with dementia, vol 27. BMJ Health and Care Informatics. BMJ Publishing Group

    Google Scholar 

  10. World Health Organisation (2018) Digital technologies: shaping the future of primary health care. Geneva [cited 2022 Jan 16]. https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/primary-health-care-conference/digital-technologies.pdf?sfvrsn=3efc47e0_2

  11. Dequanter S, Gagnon MP, Ndiaye MA, Gorus E, Fobelets M, Giguère A et al (2021) The effectiveness of e-Health solutions for aging with cognitive impairment: a systematic review. Gerontologist Gerontol Soc Am 61:E373–94

    Google Scholar 

  12. Morris L, Mansell W, Williamson T, Wray A, McEvoy P (2020) Communication empowerment framework: an integrative framework to support effective communication and interaction between carers and people living with dementia. Dementia 19(6):1739–1757

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Hoel V, Feunou CM, Wolf-Ostermann K (2021) Technology-driven solutions to prompt conversation, aid communication and support interaction for people with dementia and their caregivers: a systematic literature review. BMC Geriatr 21(1):157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Lucero RJ, Fehlberg EA, Patel AGM, Bjarnardottir RI, Williams R, Lee K et al (2019) The effects of information and communication technologies on informal caregivers of persons living with dementia: a systematic review. Alzheimer’s Dementia 5:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trci.2018.11.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Charalambous A (2019) Utilizing the advances in digital health solutions to manage care in cancer patients. In: Asia-Pac J Oncol Nurs, pp 234–237

    Google Scholar 

  16. Lindeman DA, Kim KK, Gladstone C, Apesoa-Varano EC, Hepburn K (2020) Technology and caregiving: emerging interventions and directions for research. Gerontologist Gerontol Soc Am 60:S41–S49

    Google Scholar 

  17. Hassan AYI (2020) Challenges and recommendations for the deployment of information and communication technology solutions for informal caregivers: scoping review, vol 3, JMIR Aging. JMIR Publications

    Google Scholar 

  18. Soleimaninejad A, Valizadeh-Haghi S, Rahmatizadeh S (2019) Assessing the eHealth literacy skills of family caregivers of medically ill elderly. J Pub Health Inf 11(2):e12

    Google Scholar 

  19. Verma R, Saldanha C, Ellis U, Sattar S, Haase KR (2021) eHealth literacy among older adults living with cancer and their caregivers: a scoping review. J Geriatric Oncol

    Google Scholar 

  20. Efthymiou A, Middleton N, Charalambous A, Papastavrou E (2021) Identifying the carer’s profiles of health literacy, eHealth literacy and caregiving concepts. Eur J Public Health 31(Suppl 3):1. https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/article/31/Supplement_3/ckab164.275/6405684

  21. Dam AEH, de Vugt ME, Klinkenberg IPM, Verhey FRJ, van Boxtel MPJ (2016) Review article: a systematic review of social support interventions for caregivers of people with dementia: are they doing what they promise? [Internet], vols. 85 OP-I, p 117. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edselp&AN=S037851221530092X

  22. Hopwood J, Walker N, McDonagh L, Rait G, Walters K, Iliffe S et al (2018) Internet-based interventions aimed at supporting family caregivers of people with dementia: systematic review. J Med Internet Res 20(6):e216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Chi N, Demiris G (2015) A systematic review of telehealth tool and interventions to support family caregivers. J Telemed Telecare 21(1):37–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Boots LMM, Vugt ME, Knippenberg RJM, Kempen GIJM, Verhey FRJ (2014) A systematic review of Internet-based supportive interventions for caregivers of patients with dementia. [Internet], vol 29, p 331. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=94777553

  25. Tricco A, Lillie E, Zarin W, O’Brien K, Colquhoun H, Levac D et al (2018) PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR): checklist and explanation. Ann Intern Med 169(7):467–473

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Arksey H, O’Malley L (2005) Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework. Int J Soc Res Methodol: Theory Pract 8(1):19–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Anderson JG, Hundt E, Dean M, Keim-Malpass J, Lopez RP (2017) “The Church of Online Support”: examining the use of blogs among family caregivers of persons with dementia. J Fam Nurs 23(1):34–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Blackburn C, Read J, Hughes N (2005) Carers and the digital divide: factors affecting internet use among carers in the UK. Health Soc Care Community 13(3):201–210. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=rzh&AN=106649859

  29. Kim H (2015) Understanding internet use among dementia caregivers: results of secondary data analysis using the US caregiver survey data. Interact J Med Res 4(1). http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mdc&AN=25707033&site=eds-live

  30. Fox S, Brenner J (2012) Family caregivers online. Pew Internet Res

    Google Scholar 

  31. Lam L, Lam M (2009) The use of information technology and mental health among older care-givers in Australia. Aging Mental Health 13(4):557. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=rzh&AN=105395472

  32. Li H (2015) Informal caregivers’ use of the internet for caregiving information. Soc Work Health Care 54(6):532–546. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26186424

  33. Kernisan L, Sudore R, Knight S (2010) Information-seeking at a caregiving website: a qualitative analysis. J Med Internet Res 12(3). http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mdc&AN=20675292&site=eds-live

  34. Allen F, Cain R, Meyer C (2018) Seeking relational information sources in the digital age: a study into information source preferences amongst family and friends of those with dementia. Dementia

    Google Scholar 

  35. Ruggiano N, Brown EL, Shaw S, Geldmacher D, Clarke P, Hristidis V et al (2018) The potential of information technology to navigate caregiving systems: perspectives from dementia caregivers. J Gerontol Soc Work 4372:1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2018.1546786

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Yoo JH, Jang SA, Choi T (2010) Sociocultural determinants of negative emotions among dementia caregivers in the United States and in Korea: a content analysis of online support groups. Howard J Commun 21(1):1–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Scharett E, Lopes S, Rogers H, Bhargava A, Ponathil A, Madathil KC et al (2017) An investigation of information sought by caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients on online peer-support groups. Proc Hum Fact Ergonomics Soc 1773–1777

    Google Scholar 

  38. Jeong JS, Kim Y, Chon MG (2018) Who is caring for the caregiver? The role of cybercoping for dementia caregivers. Health Commun 33(1):5–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Werner NE, Stanislawski B, Marx KA, Watkins DC, Kobayashi M, Kales H et al (2017) Getting what they need when they need it. Appl Clin Inf 8(1):191–205. https://doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2016-07-RA-0122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Alwan M, Orlov L, Schulz R, Vuckovic N (2011) E-connected family caregiver: bringing caregiving into 21st century

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Limassol, Cyprus

    Evridiki Papastavrou

  2. Kaisariani, Greece

    Areti Efthymiou

Authors
  1. Evridiki Papastavrou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Areti Efthymiou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Evridiki Papastavrou .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus

    Andreas Charalambous

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Papastavrou, E., Efthymiou, A. (2023). The Use of Information and Communication Technology Among Informal Caregivers. In: Charalambous, A. (eds) Informal Caregivers: From Hidden Heroes to Integral Part of Care . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-16745-4_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-16745-4_7

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-16744-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-16745-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation